Democratic Leaders Linked to Chinese Military Companies’ Donations

It seems that several prominent Democrats have garnered significant campaign contributions from executives of companies recently identified by the Pentagon as “Chinese military companies” operating in the U.S.

On June 8, the Department of the Army officially flagged Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD as “Chinese military companies.” This designation suggests that these companies support the People’s Liberation Army through strategies that merge military and civilian operations. A review of campaign finance records revealed that employees at these firms, particularly executives, have donated around $2.6 million to various Democratic political committees since 2020.

Notable figures who have benefited from these donations include Senator Adam Schiff, Representative Nancy Pelosi, former President Joe Biden, Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Democratic National Committee itself.

The donors span a range of positions, from executives and lobbyists to lawyers, with a smaller contribution from regular workers in sectors like engineering. Interestingly, while some contributions found their way to Republican campaigns, the total was significantly less than those given to Democrats.

The investigation covered various types of donations, including direct contributions and funds directed towards community initiatives. Notably, corporate donations from Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD were untraced.

Michael Rucci, CEO of the national security group State Armor, voiced concerns, stating that American politicians should no longer accept campaign contributions from these Chinese firms. He pointed out that this supports blacklisted entities linked to the Chinese military. Rucci emphasized the potential risks involved, suggesting that these companies could indirectly support the People’s Liberation Army and should thus be distanced from U.S. politics.

The Pentagon’s list of designated Chinese military companies, known as the 1260H list, doesn’t impose traditional sanctions; instead, it allows businesses to continue interactions with these companies.

Between 2020 and 2024, Biden-affiliated entities received approximately $850,000 from employees of the flagged companies. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee and Harris-associated committees received around $500,000 each.

Recent records show state Democrats also secured sizable donations from the three companies’ employees. For instance, Newsom received a $50,000 contribution from a BYD executive, despite the company being tied to government contracts.

Fox News Digital reached out to key Democratic figures for comments but had not received responses at the time of reporting.

The Pentagon is legally obligated to release a list of companies identified as part of the Chinese military on an annual basis. The first such list came out in June 2021 under Biden’s administration.

This 1260H list is intended to inform U.S. businesses and investors about companies with connections to China’s military-civil fusion strategy, but being on the list doesn’t immediately incur sanctions.

New defense laws have, however, tightened the regulations. Since June 30, the Department of Defense has been barred from directly contracting with any listed company, and future contracts will also prevent indirect procurement from these firms through third-party supply chains.

While the inclusion of Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD on the Pentagon’s list is recent, their connections to the Chinese Communist Party have been documented over the years. Reports have highlighted Alibaba’s assistance to the government in surveillance activities and its ties within the Communist Party.

An Alibaba spokesperson contested its standing on the military companies’ list, arguing it doesn’t participate in military strategies. They expressed intent to take legal action against any misrepresentation.

Similar sentiments were echoed by representatives from Baidu, who completely rejected their alignment with military operations, asserting there’s no justification for their designation.

The Department of Defense defended its actions, claiming thorough due diligence led to the identification of 188 firms that met the necessary criteria for the updated list.