A Walz appointee with suspected CCP ties could reveal potential national security vulnerabilities of a potential vice president, according to a source.

One top lawmaker criticized allegations that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had appointed a Chinese political party member to a state board.

In August, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., requested information from FBI Director Christopher Wray about "Chinese entities and officials" that Governor Walz had "engaged and partnered with" as part of an investigation into "elite capture" - China's strategy of developing relationships with U.S. political figures.

The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) revealed last week that one of Walz's appointees to the Council of Asian-Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) has connections to China's third-largest political party.

In 2021, Chang Wang was appointed as the vice chair representing Chinese ancestry on the CAPM board. His term will end in January. The panel also includes representatives from Tibetan, Polynesian, and Bhutanese ancestries.

According to the DCNF, Wang is one of 25 members on the Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) [party] as reported in an archived University of Minnesota biography.

In China, minor parties like CAPD function with the approval of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The CAPD Chairman, Cai Daifeng, has encouraged CAPD members to support the CCP Central Committee and offer accurate guidance to the ruling party, as reported by Chinese state media Xinhua.

Comer expressed concern about the news after his correspondence with the FBI.

Comer stated that Governor Walz's history of close ties with Chinese entities and officials poses a threat to national security.

"The House Oversight Committee's findings suggest that the governor's close ties to China may have influenced his decision-making as a congressman and governor, and could potentially impact the White House's decision-making should Vice President Harris be elected."

The lawmaker from Kentucky stated that Americans have a right to know about Walz's alleged connections to the CCP.

"The committee will persist in requesting all pertinent data from the FBI."

Chang has a filmmaking degree from Beijing Film Academy, an art history degree from the University of Illinois-Champaign, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota. His legal expertise lies in immigration law, art law, and foreign direct investment.

Chang was not reached by Planet Chronicle Digital through his Kingsfield Law firm.

Comer stated that the FBI has not provided the information he requested a month ago.

"Mr. Timothy Walz has engaged with CCP-affiliated entities and officials, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has not provided any warnings or information about CCP influence operations. The deadline for producing documents and information has passed, and the Bureau's silence is inexcusable, according to Comer."

Comer reportedly organized a 1993 trip to China for his high school students in Box Butte County, Nebraska, where Walz was teaching at the time. Walz has reportedly visited China about two dozen times.

In 2007, Walz was a fellow at Macau Polytechnic University while serving as a congressman.

"Macau Polytechnic University is aligned with China's Belt and Road Initiative, a political warfare program initiated by President Xi Jinping to expand China's global influence," Comer stated in a separate statement.

DCNF reported that Chang's only connection to China is his elderly parents, despite his current University of Minnesota bio not mentioning any Chinese political affiliation.

According to a Pentagon document, Chang's parents were scientists at a Chinese academy whose research contributed to military products.

China expert Gordon Chang stated in a Newsmax interview that evidence of ties to Chinese entities cannot be fully explained away by Walz.

Not the first Democrat, Walz has been scrutinized for his suspected links to China and its interests.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has refuted criticisms regarding Fang Fang, a suspected Chinese spy who had endeavored to establish "intimate connections" with his office as early as 2014.

Swalwell previously stated that when the FBI informed him of Fang's suspected ties to Chinese espionage, he "cooperated and assisted the FBI," resulting in Fang's removal.

When the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., learned that her longtime professional driver was also suspected of having similar ties, she let him go.

In recent weeks, a staff member of Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York State was taken into custody by law enforcement for allegedly plotting to break the Foreign Agents Registration Act, committing visa fraud, smuggling aliens, and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy.

Linda Sun was hired by the executive chamber over a decade ago, according to Hochul's statement. However, she was fired in 2023 due to evidence of misconduct. Hochul's office clarified that Sun was first hired by the executive branch a decade ago, which would have placed Andrew Cuomo in Albany at that time.

The Harris campaign and Walz's office in St. Paul were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.