US House Republicans probe Walz’s extensive engagement with China

US House Republicans are launching a new investigation into Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, focusing on his past involvement with China as a basis for scrutiny.

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on August 16, requesting information on any interactions Walz may have had with Chinese entities or individuals, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The letter also seeks any documents and communications between Walz’s office and the FBI regarding warnings or guidance about interactions with Chinese government representatives or their proxies. It remains unclear whether the FBI has communicated with Walz on these matters.

This new probe aligns with a pattern of House Republicans targeting their top political opponents and reflects a shift in their investigative focus onto the Harris-Walz ticket, as they finalize their impeachment inquiry report concerning President Biden and his family's foreign business dealings.

Walz, who was a high school teacher in China in 1989 before leading field trips to the country while teaching in Nebraska and Minnesota, has reportedly visited China at least 30 times. He also served as a fellow at Macao Polytechnic University in 2007.

The letter requests confirmation from the FBI on whether it has provided Walz with any defensive briefings — a process where the agency informs individuals about potential targeting by foreign intelligence or influence efforts. Despite Walz’s critical stance on China, including meetings with the Dalai Lama and a Hong Kong democracy activist, and sponsoring the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, Comer’s inquiry aims to scrutinize his contacts with Chinese officials, including a meeting with Consul General Zhao Jian in March of this year.

Additionally, Comer’s letter references Walz’s alleged attendance at a 2019 U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association event, although the Chinese Embassy’s recap of the event does not mention his presence. Comer has requested information on more than a dozen Chinese entities, some of whom may not have directly contacted Walz.

A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee Democrats criticized Comer’s investigation as a political manoeuvre to benefit former President Trump. “Chairman Comer is once again prioritizing partisan politics over meaningful legislative work,” the spokesperson said, accusing Comer of contributing to the 118th Congress’s reputation for ineffectiveness.