Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is under scrutiny for appointing Chang Wang, an attorney tied to a political faction loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to the state’s Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans.
Wang, appointed in 2020 and now serving as interim chair, is associated with the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD), a political party that aligns itself closely with the CCP.
The council spent over half a million dollars of taxpayer money in 2023, according to its annual report. For more than a decade, Wang has been connected with CAPD, as revealed by the DCNF through an investigation of Chinese government announcements, archived University of Minnesota records, and Wang's own Chinese-language publications.
CAPD is one of the few alternative political parties permitted to exist in China, but like other minor parties, it remains “loyal” to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and operates under the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body, according to the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
The party is allowed to function in China based on its commitment to “rally closely around” the CCP’s Central Committee and serve as advisors and assistants to the Party, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. Since joining the Minnesota state council, Wang has been recognized by the Chinese government multiple times, receiving an honorary title and having a policy research proposal accepted.
Wang denied any active ties to China, attributing his connections there to his elderly parents, though past affiliations with Chinese institutions and recognition by the CCP have raised concerns. Republican lawmakers, including Kentucky Rep. James Comer, have questioned Walz’s broader relationship with China, citing the governor’s multiple visits and his involvement with China-linked entities during his political career.
Walz’s office and campaign have not responded to inquiries about Wang’s appointment, fueling ongoing criticism about potential CCP influence in Minnesota's government.
