Massachusetts Governor Faces Scrutiny Over Meeting with Chinese Diplomat

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is under fire after enthusiastically sharing photos on social media of her meeting with Chen Li, the consul general of the People’s Republic of China in New York. The meeting, which took place at the State House, has drawn criticism due to Li’s history of defending the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and dismissing allegations of human rights abuses, particularly the genocide against Uyghurs.

Healey defended the meeting by highlighting the economic ties between Massachusetts and China, noting that China is the state’s third-largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion in goods exchanged in 2024. She also emphasized that she regularly meets with foreign officials visiting Massachusetts, citing meetings with the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States as examples.

However, critics argue that meeting with a high-ranking CCP official like Chen Li is different, given the Chinese government’s well-documented human rights abuses and its efforts to exert influence in the United States. They point to Li’s past statements denying the Uyghur genocide and echoing CCP propaganda as evidence that he is not merely a diplomat but a mouthpiece for a repressive regime.

The controversy is amplified by the fact that other prominent Democratic politicians have also been photographed with Chinese officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. These interactions raise concerns about the CCP’s ability to cultivate relationships with influential figures in American politics.

The article also mentions that Yvonne Hao, the former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, was present at the meeting with Chen Li. Hao, an American-born citizen whose parents are originally from China, recently stepped down from her official role but continues to serve the Healey administration as an unpaid advisor.

Concerns About Chinese Influence

The article cites Michael Sobolik, an expert on U.S.-China relations and a Hudson Institute senior fellow, who warns that the Chinese Communist Party is "always looking for ways to penetrate U.S. businesses and civil society." He argues that Americans should not make it easier for the CCP to achieve its goals.

The article further details Chen Li’s activities in the United States, including participating in New York City parades alongside Schumer and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He also met with Senator Richard Blumenthal’s brother-in-law to light up the Empire State Building for the Lunar New Year, a tradition maintained by the Chinese Consulate for over a decade.

Allegations of Foreign Interference

The article also references the case of Linda Sun, former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who was indicted on charges related to violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Sun interfered with Hochul’s 2021 Lunar New Year message to prevent her from mentioning the Uyghur situation in China.

According to the indictment, Sun revealed to then-Consul General Huang Ping that Hochul’s speechwriter wanted to include a reference to the Uyghurs, but Sun insisted that she would not allow her boss to mention them. The indictment also details exchanges between Sun and Ping, alleging that he gifted her parents with Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by his chef in exchange for her help in influencing the governor’s policies.

The Uyghur Genocide

The Uyghur genocide is a key point of contention in the controversy surrounding Healey’s meeting with Chen Li. The Chinese government has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, including mass internment, forced labor, and cultural suppression.

Chen Li has repeatedly dismissed these allegations as "fabricated" and based on reports from "extremist anti-China individuals." He claims that the Uyghur population is growing steadily and that people in Xinjiang "enjoy happy life."

However, numerous independent investigations and reports from human rights organizations have documented the Chinese government’s systematic repression of the Uyghurs. The United States government has formally recognized the situation in Xinjiang as a genocide.

Political Implications

The controversy surrounding Healey’s meeting with Chen Li is likely to have political implications. Republicans and other critics of the Chinese government are likely to seize on the issue to attack Healey and other Democrats who have engaged with Chinese officials.

The incident also raises questions about the balance between economic engagement and human rights concerns in U.S.-China relations. Some argue that it is necessary to maintain economic ties with China, even in the face of human rights abuses, while others insist that the United States should not do business with a country that engages in genocide.

Governor Healey’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment. The controversy is likely to continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks.