New York’s Governor Boosts Chinese Companies Under US Sanctions

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D., N.Y.) delivered a keynote speech last week to a Chinese business group led by the American subsidiaries of multiple companies under U.S. sanctions.

Hochul spoke alongside New York City mayor Eric Adams (D.), Delaware governor John Carney (D.), and two Chinese diplomats at the China General Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala. The trade group represents the U.S.-based arms of several Chinese state-owned corporations, including more than a dozen that have been sanctioned for helping the Chinese military and aiding Beijing’s human rights abuses.

Hochul’s appearance at the event comes as she faces a competitive election later this year. Hochul, who took over in New York following the resignation of disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo, at the Feb. 22 gala touted the “beautiful relationship” between the United States and China, ignoring Beijing’s human rights abuses and increased military aggression.

The Democrats shared the stage with Chinese ambassador Qin Gang and China’s New York consul general, Huang Ping. As top officials in the Chinese Communist Party, both Qin and Huang have sided against the United States on a variety of geopolitical issues. Qin reportedly provided Moscow with intelligence he received from American diplomats regarding U.S. plans to ward off Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Last week, he threatened the United States against supporting Taiwan’s independence from mainland China. Huang, who has met with Hochul before, has dismissed allegations of China’s genocide against Uyghurs and said that internment camps that house the Muslim group are legal.- READ MORE