Neil Bush Advocates for Cooperation with China
Neil Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush and chair of the Bush China Foundation, recently spoke at the U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum. This event, organized by the U.S.-China Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), is recognized by U.S. agencies as part of an external influence network associated with the Chinese Communist Party. During his address, Bush stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation with China.
A video of his statement was shared online, drawing attention from various sources, including Natalie Winters from Steve Bannon’s War Room. She noted that the forum’s connection to Chinese Communist Party influence operations had been outlined in a detailed report.
In his speech, Bush urged for more exchanges between American and Chinese officials. He expressed, “The more we meet, the more understanding we will have, and the less tensions will be. Hopefully, relations will look more normalized, and the American people will be less afraid of China.” He called for increased interactions across different sectors, stating, “We need more exchanges between pastors, more student exchanges, and more cultural and business interactions.”
Bush also cited an example of collaboration in renewable energy, mentioning a U.S. company that involved Chinese investors in developing gravity-based energy storage technology in Rudong City, China. He emphasized that this partnership was a positive example of collaboration, noting, “They spent over $100 million building this gravity-based storage solution. This area has fewer barriers to collaboration.” He highlighted climate change, food security, and health as key areas for further cooperation.
Winters, in her accompanying article, remarked that the event was not merely an academic meeting or neutral diplomatic dialogue but part of a long-standing strategy to exert influence. She pointed out that CUSEF aims to “co-opt and neutralize challenges to the political authority of the Chinese Communist Party” and has been known to encourage foreign actors to align with Chinese political goals.
CUSEF has reportedly donated $5 million to the Bush China Foundation over the years, and in some instances, this support constitutes more than 80% of the foundation’s operating budget. This funding relationship was highlighted at the forum where Bush expressed pride in their ongoing collaboration.
Chinese media took note of Bush’s comments, with TVB labeling him as a spokesperson for the U.S. calling for détente and partnership. In a newspaper interview, he critiqued U.S. trade policies, stating, “Weaponizing tariffs against China, Canada, Mexico, and our friends is the wrong policy direction.”
Winters argued that the participants at the forum, including prominent American names, served to legitimize the narrative propagated by the Chinese government, emphasizing that this influence strategy has deep roots in American history. The Bush family’s connections with China have been previously explored, including Neil Bush’s business relations with Chinese state-run firms and his father’s diplomatic engagement in the 1970s.
Both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have showcased support for trade normalization with China despite various controversies, such as George W. Bush’s attendance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics amidst calls for a boycott. CUSEF’s leadership includes figures closely associated with the Chinese Communist Party, and their initiatives have raised concerns among lawmakers who warn of potential influence on U.S. academic institutions and public opinion.
