CCP-linked consulate hosts NYC New Year's event attended by Dem lawmakers, sparking 'deeply concerning' reactions.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' top adviser and several Democrat lawmakers were present at a New Year's Eve celebration hosted by an official from China who has frequently lauded the Chinese government and dismissed the Uyghur genocide.

The New Year Open Day hosted by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York on Sunday attracted more than 120 guests, continuing the theme of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gaining influence in New York and surrounding states.

Qian Jin, the Chinese Acting Consul General in New York, stated at the event, "As we come together to mark the beginning of a new year, let us build upon the positive momentum of the San Francisco summit and work together to create a community that values openness, inclusiveness, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation."

According to the post, New York state Sen. Leroy Comrie, state Assemblyman David Weprin, senior Adams adviser Winnie Greco, New York City Council Member Christopher Marte, Sino-American Friendship Association (SAFA) President Peter Zhang, and China Institute CEO George Geh were present.

Despite criticism over the past few years, China's New York Consulate General's consul general, Huang Ping, has continued to make appearances across the country, meeting with Democrat lawmakers and top American institutions and universities.

Ping has met with various prominent individuals and organizations in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Ivy League universities, as well as executives at Condé Nast, following his controversial comments.

Previously, Ping was linked to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, according to a report by Planet Chronicle Digital.

Another New Year's event was held in Times Square by New York City, with the Sino-American Friendship Association organized by Peter Zhang.

The Washington Post's deputy opinion editor wrote in an August 2022 op-ed that China experts have identified SAFA as being involved in United Front work, which is a global effort to propagandize on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. However, the organization denied being affiliated with the government at the time.

The honorary president of the group, Xikun Yuan, is a member of the 11th Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which aims to collaborate with non-Communist Party members and ultimately advance the interests of the CCP.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a U.S. government agency, stated in a 2018 report that the CPPCC is a "key component" of China's United Front system, which aims to "co-opt and neutralize potential opposition to the policies and authority of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."

According to Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, SAFA is a front group for the Chinese Communist Party.

"The Sino-American Friendship Organization exhibits many characteristics of a CCP front organization, including connections to United Front work and institutions in China, collaboration with PRC consulates and U.S.-based diplomats, and community involvement aimed at shaping Americans' perception of China, according to Sobolik. Although this information is not new, it is still concerning that the city of New York continues to associate with SAFA."

Last night, a CCP united front organization hosted the NYE party in Manhattan," he posted on X. "Given what we now know about united front groups and their operations, there is little room for ignorance.

The Democrat lawmakers at the consulate event, Mayor Adams's office, SAFA, and the Chinese consulate did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's inquiries.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.