(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., was named “honorary chairwoman” of an intelligence front group for the Chinese Communist Party in 2019.
The group, called Forums of Peaceful Reunification in China, opposes Taiwanese independence and almost certainly serves as a front for Chinese intelligence, according to the U.S.-China Economic Security and Review Commission.
According to the Daily Caller, the Forums for the Peaceful Reunification of China is one of many anti-Taiwan independence organizations stateside. Each of the 33 organizations serves as a chapter for the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.
The CCPPNR is “directly subordinate” to the United Front Work Department, according to the USCC.
The Forums nominated Chu as “honorary chairwoman” at the group’s 34th inauguration ceremony. At the ceremony, Chu served as a witness and oversaw the transfer of the organization’s seal.
Chinese intelligence experts confirmed that the group is a Chinese intelligence operation, connected with the UFWD.
“They are the same organization,” Russell Hsiao, executive director of the Global Taiwan Institute, told the DCNF.
“Anyone with basic understanding of Chinese language, China-Taiwan relations, and the politics of related affinity groups within the United States would easily see similarities between the problematic United Front organization identified by the USCC and its southern California chapter where Rep. Judy Chu appears to have been appointed honorary chair,” Steve Yates, former Chinese language analyst for the National Security Agency, told the DCNF.
Chu became a memberof the House in 2009, and currently represents California’s 28th district.
Since her election, Chu wished for China and Taiwan “to become one family.” However, she appeared to walk this back just before former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s diplomatic trip to Taiwan, saying she “always supported” the independence of the small island nation.
It is not clear if she continues to serve as “honorary chairwoman” for the Forums for Peaceful Reunification of China, or has any involvement in the organization at all.
