Newsom's Ties to CCP Under Microscope in New Book Exposing Alleged Corruption

California Governor Gavin Newsom is at the center of a corruption storm, as a new book sheds light on his alleged ties to Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-aligned businesses. The book, titled "Fool's Gold: The Radicals, Con Artists, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All," dedicates an entire chapter to these claims, painting a troubling picture of his tenure as San Francisco mayor and beyond.

Authored by Jedd McFatter and Susan Crabtree, the book chronicles Newsom's rise in politics with significant support from the Chinese community in San Francisco, highlighting his victory celebrations in Chinatown and his early dedication to fostering ties with Chinese interests. According to the authors, one such interest materialized in the form of a nonprofit initiative, ChinaSF, which allegedly became a veritable "gateway" for corrupt Chinese corporations and CCP officials to exploit California's economy.

The book recounts Newsom's trip to Shanghai, where he reportedly met with Vincent Lo, a businessman with close ties to the CCP. This meeting led to a long-term vision to position San Francisco as a primary hub for Chinese business investments. The result? ChinaSF, a public-private partnership launched in 2008 that, according to the authors, brought in $5.5 billion in economic impact to the city over a decade but allegedly facilitated questionable dealings with corrupt Chinese firms.

Among these firms, Suntech—a solar company linked to the CCP—stands out. Newsom allegedly recruited the company into the U.S., publicly praised its CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi, and even appointed him to ChinaSF's advisory board. Real estate wasn't left out either; the book claims Newsom received over $23,000 in anonymous contributions from Z&L Properties, a Chinese real estate firm whose owner was later convicted of bribery in San Francisco.

The chapter, aptly titled "Feeding the Dragon," raises red flags about ChinaSF's role in drawing Chinese biotech companies to the Bay Area with "huge tax breaks and little vetting." One particularly alarming recruit, JOINN Laboratories, reportedly has ties to China's military. The book also highlights ChinaSF's connections with Huawei, a tech giant often accused of serving CCP interests and under U.S. scrutiny for questionable practices.

But wait, there's more. The authors allege that Newsom, during his time as California's lieutenant governor, trademarked his wine business in China and held a lavish tasting event for CCP elites in Shanghai. This detail, while minor compared to the broader accusations, adds a personal layer to the narrative.

ChinaSF's structure also comes under fire in the book. For a period, it was reportedly a private entity embedded within the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, raising questions about public accountability. The authors claim that the initiative served as a "mirage" to legitimize the transfer of Bay Area technology, property, and wealth to China while bypassing rigorous oversight.

Newsom's office, when contacted for comment, reportedly pointed to an article about conspiracy theories, sidestepping the allegations. Meanwhile, the book closes with a stark warning: "ChinaSF is the secret elixir Newsom concocted to help transform San Francisco into the primary entry point and hub of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the United States."

While Newsom has often celebrated San Francisco's ties to China, calling them a foundation for "shared cultural and economic prosperity," the book's revelations call for a closer look at the cost of those ties. The question remains: at what point does fostering international relationships blur into compromising national interests?