FOX 1: A top Chinese Communist Party diplomat who recently replaced a controversial official with deep ties to New York Democratic Party officials recently touted his relationship with an American university president and former New Jersey education official.
Cheng Li, who was appointed Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York last month, praised the “warm hospitality” he received from Kean University President Lamont Lepore on social media last week.
“I was truly overwhelmed by President Lepore’s warm hospitality. I truly felt at home on this campus,” Lee wrote to X. It is a joint Chinese-American institution where “a commitment to bilateral educational exchanges and people-to-people connections is the key to Wenzhou Kean University’s success.” ”
Lepore, who served as New Jersey’s education commissioner for more than two years under Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, is seen smiling in two of the photos posted by Lee. Lepore’s Kean University biography says he “oversaw the transition to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a critical role in planning for the 2020-2021 academic year.” “It was.”
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Mr. Chen Li, Consul General of China in New York, poses with Mr. Lamont Lepore of Kean University. (Consul General of China in New York)
A Fox News Digital investigation found that Lepore has had deep ties to China for several years, despite warnings from Biden and Trump administration officials about the Chinese Communist Party’s influence. His most recent visit was in October of this year, where he delivered a keynote speech at the triennial conference of the International Association of University Presidents held in Beijing.
The conference press release talked about how passionate Lepore was about equity in education, and his keynote speech, which said, “AI can advance equity and transform the way we engage with students and support their success.” It was emphasized that it was an innovative tool.
“AI has the power to close the achievement gap and ensure that all students, regardless of their challenges, have access to high-quality educational resources,” he continued. “By delivering personalized learning experiences, AI gives historically marginalized students the tools they need to succeed.”
Months earlier, Chinese state media amplified a letter sent by President Xi Jinping to Mr. Lepore in response to a letter sent to Mr. Xi, state media said.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a tour of the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theater Command on July 26, 2023. (Li Gang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“Recently, President Xi Jinping responded to a letter from U.S. Kean University President Lamont Repollet, encouraging Chinese and U.S. universities to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and contribute to Sino-American friendship,” the Chinese government said in a press release. ” he said. .
“Recalling that he witnessed the signing ceremony of the Sino-American Cooperation Agreement on the joint establishment of Wenzhou Keene University at Kean University in 2006, Xi Jinping said that he was happy that Wenzhou Keene University had achieved remarkable results through the joint efforts of both sides. It will be a ground-breaking project in Sino-American educational cooperation. ”
“President Xi expressed his appreciation for Mr. Lepore’s statement in his letter that he is deepening cooperation with Wenzhou Kean University and encouraging American students to come to China for exchange and study,” “We called on the universities of both countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation through various means,” the statement continued, “to train young special envoys who know both countries well and build further bridges to promote Sino-American friendship.”
President Xi Jinping meets the press after the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, China, on May 19, 2023. (Li Xueren/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Additionally, a Wenzhou Kean University press release touted Lepore’s “important” visit to China in April 2023.
“Kene University President Lamont O. Repollet and his delegation embarked on an important visit to Wenzhou, their first in three years,” the press release states. “This visit was a unique opportunity to strengthen exchanges between our two universities, promote people-to-people exchanges between Zhejiang Province and the U.S. state of New Jersey, and strengthen the long-standing friendship between our two countries.”
According to a press release, Lepore arrived in China on March 20, 2023 and “wasted no time” meeting with Wenzhou Party Secretary Zhou Si Liu Xiaotao.
“Liu Xiaotao expressed hope that the two countries will continue to build a model of Sino-American cooperation in the field of education, serve as a bridge of friendly exchanges, and have a bright future for the university,” the press release said. There is. “President Lepore expressed his sincere gratitude to Wenzhou City for its unwavering support for the construction and development of WKU.”
Mr. Xiaotao has been a member of the Chinese Communist Party since 1991 and has held various roles over the past several decades.
In addition, Chinese state media hosted an event in New York City in September that listed Lepore as a speaker, where he “stressed the importance of cultural exchanges and people-to-people diplomacy,” according to a press release. Mutual understanding between nations. ”
Speakers included several Chinese officials, including Xie Feng, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, and Shen Haixiong, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Mr. Haixiong is also the head of China Media Group, an important media conglomerate that plays a key role in China’s state-run media apparatus.
Lepore’s ties to China have strengthened since he became Kean University’s president, but his Facebook profile shows that he visited China multiple times before becoming Kean University’s top administrator. I found out that it was.
For example, a 2016 Facebook post shows Mr. Lepore attending the first graduation ceremony of Wenzhou Kean University in China as a member of its board of governors. He also attended a graduation ceremony in China in 2017, according to another Facebook post.
Before Chen Li took over the top position at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, he had a long history of promoting propaganda for the Chinese Communist Party, calling it the “great party,” denying allegations of genocide against Uyghurs, and holding talks. Huang Ping held that position. With universities, media companies, and elected officials across the country.
Mr. Ping met repeatedly with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, and New York Mayor Eric Adams (all Democrats). Earlier this year, Mr. Ping was mentioned dozens of times in an indictment involving one of Mr. Hochul’s former aides.
Mr. Huangping met with Senator Sharif Street of Pennsylvania. (Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York)
Consul General Huang Ping of the Chinese Consulate General in New York (YouTube screenshot/Consulate General of China in New York)
According to a press release from the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the relationship between Repole and Ping dates back to 2021. Mr. Ping and Mr. Lepore met virtually in December 2021, during which Mr. Ping congratulated Mr. Kean on his appointment to Kean University and said, “With 10 years of successful campuses in Wenzhou, China, the university is proud of Sino-American educational cooperation. He set a good example.”
”[Repollet] “We strongly agree that educational cooperation plays a unique role in people-to-people exchanges and in enhancing understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and the United States,” said a press release from the consulate general.[Repollet] He confirmed that the university highly values globalization and diversity and firmly supports cooperation with China. ”
A few months ago, Mr. Lepore shot a video celebrating the “72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China” on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in New York. In the video, he emphasized the university’s “strong ties” with China and said, “I would like to thank our partners in China and the people of Kean USA for continuing to work together to support the growth of this university, especially our students. I am deeply grateful.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with our Chinese partners to further develop this great institution and celebrate events like China’s National Day together.” [and] Far into the future,” Lepore continued.
A Facebook post from 2023 also shows Repollet participating in an event commemorating the last day of the Lunar New Year, where the pin appeared.
Michael Sobolik, author of “Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance,” sounded the alarm about this close relationship between Lepore and China, telling Fox News Digital that the relationship is a “cautionary tale.”
“The university has a human rights research institute, but we are not aware of the Chinese government’s ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs, cultural genocide in Tibet, political repression in Hong Kong, or widespread repression against Chinese people at home and abroad. “There is no mention of this at all,” Professor Sobolik continued. . “This is what happens when American universities partner with the Chinese Communist Party: The funding and market access encourages Americans to ignore and remain silent about the atrocities of the Chinese Communist Party.”
China expert Michaele Sobolik called Kean University’s relationship with China an “alarming story.” (Getty Images)
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The Chinese Consulate General in New York has drawn the line on the Chinese Communist Party’s rhetoric in response to multiple interviews with FOX News Digital, but has called Mr. Sobolik a “so-called ‘expert'” and “an expert on China.” “There is a lack of basic understanding,” he said, dismissing Sobolik’s analysis.
“The statements regarding Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and human rights are factually incorrect and typical disinformation. We firmly oppose such slander and slander,” the embassy continued. “Educational exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States are consistent with the laws and common interests of both parties, are transparent, and are beyond reproach.”
“Kean University is known for promoting equity and inclusion in education, and our collaboration with China will provide more learning and development opportunities for students of all ethnic backgrounds in the United States. ” the consulate added. “We urge some people in the United States to take off their ‘tinted glasses’ and view cooperation objectively and positively.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Kean University for comment but did not receive a response.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter for FOX News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email your tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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