PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey (D) posted photos with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) diplomat Chen Li, expressing gratitude for the meeting.
👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. Maura Healey, Chinese Consul General Chen Li, and former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao.
📍 Where & When: Massachusetts State House, Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!” Gov. Maura Healey wrote regarding her meeting with the CCP official.
⚠️ Impact: Concerns over Chinese influence in the U.S., especially among Democratic politicians.
IN FULL:
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) recently hosted Chinese Consul General Chen Li at the State House, sharing the occasion with a series of photos and remarks on social media. The Democratic governor expressed her appreciation for the meeting, emphasizing the importance of Massachusetts’ economic ties with China. The meeting also included Yvonne Hao, the former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, who continues to advise the Healey administration.
“Massachusetts is home to a vibrant Chinese-American community, and China is one of our largest trading partners,” Gov. Healey wrote in a post on X. She added: “Glad to welcome Ambassador H.E. Chen Li of the People’s Republic to China to the State House, and grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!”
Governor Healey highlighted the state’s significant trade relations with China, its third-largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion in goods exchanged in 2024. She noted the state’s imports from China include toys, apparel, and sports equipment, while exports to China comprise industrial machinery and medical devices.
Chen Li, whose jurisdiction as consul general spans nearly a dozen states, has been known for echoing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives, particularly in denying allegations of genocide against Uyghurs. He expressed his pleasure at the meeting with the Democrat governor.
The meeting has raised eyebrows, given the history of Chinese diplomats engaging with U.S. politicians and institutions. Chen’s predecessor, Huang Ping, was involved in an indictment related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, and other charges.
Notably, The National Pulse has previously reported that another major Massachusetts political figure, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, received significant campaign contributions from a CCP-linked cultural association. Even more troubling, the head of the Chinese cultural group has demonstrable ties to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an internal intelligence and propaganda organ within the CCP.