New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been making headlines recently, particularly due to his frequent engagement with the Chinese community. A recent report from Newsweek brings to light some serious allegations surrounding him, indicating potential legal troubles that could jeopardize crucial ties with China.
The 2023 investigation conducted by Newsweek highlights significant campaign contributions to Adams from organizations connected to China. The report suggests this may represent a successful effort by the Chinese Communist Party to cultivate deep connections within the United States.
Winnie Greco, Adams’ special advisor and director of Asian affairs, has been named in the indictment. She is perceived as an essential link between Adams and pro-Beijing groups, often representing the mayor’s office at their events and praising their leaders, who in turn have encouraged their members to back Adams’ campaigns.
Greco has been by Adams’ side since his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President, and they have traveled to Beijing together. The mayor frequently participates in events organized by overseas Chinese and expatriate communities, which often involve personnel from the Chinese consulate.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about Adams’ relationships with pro-Beijing figures, alleging that he may be unintentionally legitimizing Beijing’s influence operations abroad. Notably, one of these pro-Beijing individuals was arrested last year for operating an illicit Chinese police station in Manhattan.
Adams’ office asserts that his engagement with the Chinese community is purely a show of support, not an endorsement of any political ideologies. However, with the recent allegations surfacing, it appears he might be at risk of losing a significant “friend” in Beijing.
The Newsweek article indicates that this relationship has been maintained through intermediaries on both sides, noting that in New York and other major cities across the U.S., hundreds of pro-Beijing organizations are active in promoting Beijing’s narratives on various matters.
The investigation further revealed that since the 1990s, numerous pro-Beijing figures have donated over $1 million to political campaigns in New York alone. From 2015 to 2023, Adams’ campaign received nearly $40,000 from these individuals, with about two-thirds having participated in his campaign events.
Moreover, Newsweek meticulously reviewed hundreds of emails from New York City Hall and found that the “Asian-American parade” in New York was initiated in 2022 by the founder of a media company, arranged by Greco. This same company has been identified by the Department of Justice as a foreign agent for the Chinese government.
