A Daily Caller News Foundation investigation reveals that the Biden-Harris administration has given tens of millions of dollars to left-wing nonprofits with offices in China that oversee the foreign influence operations of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) operating in the United States. It turned out that he was giving the taxpayers money.

In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two grants totaling $60 million to the Vermont-based Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC). serve As a “national grant issuer” for environmental justice projects and as a “technical assistance center” for small environmental nonprofits. Currently applying for federal grants.

The ISC maintains offices in China and is closely affiliated with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). CPAFFC is the Chinese Communist Party’s espionage and propaganda arm within China’s influence and intelligence agencies, and frequently collaborates with the China Energy Foundation (EFC). ) is an environmental nonprofit organization with extensive ties to the Chinese government. DCNF’s investigation of ISC’s website and social media posts shows that ISC’s China activities improve China’s international climate image, advocate for closer ties between Chinese and U.S. government agencies, and promote China’s commitment to the environment. The aim is to justify the actions of the Communist Party.

ISC is active The nonprofit organization currently operates in more than 30 cities in China since 2007, according to ISC’s website. work It aims to work with 12 Chinese local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, helping local Chinese leaders “advance national policies” on environmental issues.

2020, ISC Establishment A Beijing representative office was established in the country, and the non-profit organization was subject to mandatory supervision by Chinese government agencies and registration with Chinese security agencies. In order to obtain this new operational status, ISC entered into a formal relationship with CPAFFC and was registered with the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, according to some sources. statement Available on ISC’s Chinese website.

Exclusive: Democratic Party lawmaker praises ‘leadership’ of former Chinese Communist Party official, unearthed video show https://t.co/yJEgeNVJPy

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Both the Trump and Biden administrations have appointed the CPAFFC as the core of the Chinese Communist Party’s “united front activities,” and this has been the case for a long time. asked for This is to expand the party’s “overseas influence and propaganda.”

In October 2020, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Ended CPAFFC’s efforts to support the interests of the Chinese Communist Party and “undermine” the forum have soured relations between the U.S. government and the U.S.-China National Governors Forum. July 2022 report Officials at the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, under Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, have said that the CPAFFC is a “foreign influence operation” of the Chinese Communist Party, and that it is “intended to oversee and develop ‘sister’ relationships between China’s regions.” It reaffirmed the Trump administration’s findings that the investigation was commissioned by the Chinese government. United States and other countries. ” (Related: Communist influence network deeply involved in nonprofits linking China and U.S. heartlands)

recent analysis A report by the Jamestown Foundation, a China-focused think tank, said in 2019 that the former head of the CPAFFC defined the group’s mission as “manipulating foreigners into sympathizing with, supporting, and holding to account the cause of the Chinese Communist Party.” It is said that it was defined as

The Jamestown Foundation also written Extensive information about the Chinese government strategy Co-opting international environmental nonprofit organizations to contribute to Chinese Communist Party policy. Former Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher (Wisconsin), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said: compared the “making fools useful” activities of groups like CPAFFC that build global Chinese Communist Party influence;

Between 2019 and 2022, ISC received nearly $400,000 from EFC, a San Francisco-based environmental nonprofit with offices in Beijing, according to EFC’s majority investigation. recent tax Submitted documents By DCNF. In 2022 alone, EFC spent more than $52 million funding green energy projects and environmental organizations in the United States.

DCNF previously reported that at least nine members of the EFC leadership previously worked for the Chinese government. (Related: Liberal Foundation funneled tens of millions of dollars to influential environmental groups tied to Chinese government)

ISC and EFC have partnered on several climate-related projects in China, according to a DCNF review of both groups’ websites.

In 2018, both organizations financially supported A “Quality Certification Center” to “provide critical technical assistance to the near-zero carbon emissions zone pilot project in Guangdong Province.” In May 2023, ISC and EFC held The “Urban Carbon Neutrality Practical Seminar” was held in Chinese, where former ISC Vice President for Global Programs Trina Malik encouraged stronger collaboration between Chinese and foreign cities on climate change.

ISC claim The nonprofit organization currently fosters exchanges between American and Chinese cities and businesses “through strategic peer learning opportunities.” According to a DCNF review of China projects posted on ISC’s website, the nonprofit organization promotion Exchanges between China and the United States date back to 2009. In 2014, ISC partnered In collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), we are facilitating climate change-focused exchanges between Chinese and U.S. cities in a program known as the U.S.-China Partnership for Climate-Smart Low-Carbon Cities (CSLCC). . 2017, USAID Award ISC and EFC spent $10 million to expand the program to 12 additional cities under a program called the Low Emission Cities Alliance (LECA).

“LECA includes urban exchanges between China and the United States,” ISC said. document Providing an overview of the LECA program states: “Exchanges will allow cities in both countries to share strategies and approaches to common challenges. Moreover, this activity will provide market opportunities for U.S. companies, especially in the energy and technology sectors. As cities implement early peaking strategies, there will be mutual benefits from collaboration with U.S. companies that provide relevant technologies and services that address city priorities.”

USAID did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment regarding past partnerships with ISC and EFC.

ISC has also worked to improve China’s global climate situation as a country. remain The world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter.

ISC in 2023 published The document praises China’s environmental policies and quotes from a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 in which Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a commitment to achieve net carbon emissions by 2060.

“China is making bold efforts to reduce carbon emissions to slow global warming,” the ISC document said. “As the world’s largest greenhouse gas” [greenhouse gas] As an emitter, China’s “moonshot” target has the potential to reduce global net carbon emissions by 25% and will serve as a model for the international community. ”

ISC frequently uses Xi when communicating in Chinese. recommendation The goal is to “tell the story of China well” overseas. in August 2022 post On the Chinese social media platform WeChat, ISC called for more exchanges between Chinese and foreign cities to “tell China’s story well” to the international community. According to the 2023 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, this particular expression is a term used by the Chinese Communist Party and often refers to the party’s “foreign propaganda efforts.” report. (Related: Tim Walz has a history of rubbing elbows with non-profits with ties to China’s Intel and influential institutions)

ISC in 2018 Co-host A day of panel discussions held with Chinese government agencies and the EFC at the United Nations Climate Change Summit held in Poland.

“This side event will invite national and local government officials, experts, and representatives of relevant institutions to the conference to address climate change, build urban communication bridges, and promote good practices in Chinese provinces and cities. Let’s sum up and tell China’s story to the outside world,” said the multi-day panel discussion co-hosted by ISC and EFC.

The ISC report also appears to confirm the Chinese Communist Party’s domestic and international legitimacy in addressing climate and environmental issues.

In a June 2022 blog post, ISC said: claimed China has “contributed to global climate governance with its wisdom,” he said. In the same post, ISC also wrote that China has a responsibility and obligation to “build a community with a shared future for mankind.” shout It runs counter to Xi Jinping’s vision of a multipolar world order in which the power and influence of the United States is significantly diminished. ISC also claimed that China’s net-zero goal is part of the Chinese Communist Party’s “ecological civilization.” initiative.

“At the 2021 Climate Change Leaders’ Summit, President Xi pointed out that the well-being of people in all countries is closely linked to the environment,” the ISC said. I wrote In August 2022.

“ISC has been working to support communities most affected by the climate crisis for more than 35 years. We have a proven track record,” ISC President Rebecca Kadal told DCNF in a written statement. “Our international work is separate from our portfolio of U.S. programs and our selection as environmental justice grantmakers.”

Kadar added that “EPA has no involvement” in ISC’s activities in China.

EFC did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment.

Inflation Control Act’s $3 Billion Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant regulations Of the total $60 million announced by EPA in grants to ISC, $50 million was provided. EPA did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment on the subsidy.

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