Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent public appearances alongside a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official have drawn scrutiny. The official, Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li, has publicly dismissed allegations of China's genocide against the Uyghur population.
Multiple photos on Chen's X profile show him with Schumer at events like the Brooklyn Lantern Festival Parade and the NYC Lunar New Year Parade. Chen's posts celebrate these events and highlight the Chinese community in New York.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg was also present at the Lunar New Year Parade. Chen's denial of the Uyghur genocide, a widely condemned human rights crisis, stands in stark contrast to international concerns, including those raised by the United Nations.
Chen has previously echoed the CCP's narrative, attributing accusations of genocide and forced labor to fabricated reports and dismissing witnesses as "actors." This stance contradicts evidence of the coercive nature of the "re-education camps" in Xinjiang.
Experts on U.S.-China relations have expressed concern over elected officials engaging publicly with CCP representatives. Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Michael Sobolik emphasized the CCP's efforts to undermine America and cautioned against mixed signals sent by politicians who criticize the CCP while simultaneously associating with its officials.
This isn't the first time Schumer has faced criticism for interacting with Chinese officials who downplay the Uyghur situation. His previous association with Chen's predecessor, Huang Ping, also drew attention. Huang, who promoted CCP propaganda and denied the Uyghur genocide, was mentioned in a criminal indictment against a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Sobolik has warned about the CCP's pervasive influence in the United States and the need to address its attempts to exploit American freedoms. Fox News Digital sought comment from both Schumer's office and the Chinese consulate in New York.
