Quote:He spoke alongside the president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), which leads a billion-dollar Chinese influence operation flagged by the U.S. State Department for “directly and malignly influencing” American politicians.

U.S. officials added the effort - the United Front Work Department - works “to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition” and “influence foreign individuals and the policies of foreign states to serve Beijing’s interests.”

Despite these ties, Walz headlined the national convention of another CCP influence group - the US China Peoples Friendship Association - in 2019 alongside CPAFFC President Li Xaolin.