Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has been photographed multiple times this month alongside Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, including Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li, who has publicly denied allegations of genocide against the Uyghur population. The images, posted by Chen on social media, show him and Schumer attending at least two Chinese cultural parades in New York City.
One of the photos, shared on Chen’s X profile, captures Schumer at the Brooklyn Lantern Festival Parade. “Thrilled to join thousands at the [Brooklyn] Lantern Festival Parade!” Chen wrote. “Incredible #Chinese cultural performances—so proud of Chinese Community in New York! It’s time for celebration and friendship!” Another post from Chen on Monday stated that he was “glad to join the 27th NYC Lunar New Year Parade together with” American and Chinese community members.
Sen. Chuck Schumer spotted posing for photo with CCP official as warnings swirl about China influence
-Fox News pic.twitter.com/AkST0WxcmR
— Tired of being politically correct (@USBornNRaised) February 19, 2025
Chen has previously rejected accusations that the Chinese government is engaged in genocide against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, a claim that the United Nations and several Western nations have condemned. In a 2021 statement, Chen dismissed these concerns as fabrications. “It’s hard to imagine how could ‘genocide’ and ‘forced labor’ be associated with such a place where population grows steadily, society is safe and open, and people enjoy happy life,” he wrote. He further alleged that the genocide accusations originated from “extremist anti-China individuals” and were based on false testimonies.
The Chinese government has consistently defended its policies in Xinjiang, characterizing its internment camps as voluntary “re-education centers” designed to counter extremism. However, leaked documents and independent reports have suggested that the camps operate as forced detention facilities, where human rights violations, including forced labor and indoctrination, have been widely reported.
Schumer spotted posing for photo with CCP official as warnings swirl about China influence https://t.co/XQIMTU8ciN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 19, 2025
Schumer’s appearances with Chen have drawn criticism from foreign policy analysts who caution against U.S. officials publicly associating with CCP representatives. “The Chinese Communist Party is actively seeking to weaken America from within. Elected officials shouldn’t share the stage with them; they should be working to defeat Beijing,” said Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, in an interview with Fox News Digital. He also noted that such appearances could undermine efforts to counter CCP influence, stating, “It sends mixed signals when politicians talk about countering the CCP one day then break bread with them the next.”
This is not the first time Schumer has been criticized for his interactions with Chinese officials. He previously faced scrutiny over his ties to Chen’s predecessor, Huang Ping, who was actively engaged in promoting CCP propaganda while serving as the consul general in New York from 2018 to 2024. Huang met with numerous U.S. business leaders, lawmakers, and universities during his tenure. His name was also mentioned in a federal indictment involving former New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun. The indictment, which lists Huang as “PRC Official-1”, references multiple meetings between Huang and Hochul, who is identified as “Politician-2”.
Sobolik has previously warned about the CCP’s expanding influence in the United States, stating that “The CCP, through ‘united front’ actors, uses American voices to advance its own hostile agenda.” He urged government officials at all levels to be vigilant about Beijing’s attempts to use diplomatic and cultural exchanges as tools to expand its influence.
