Mayor’s Team Appointments Raise Security Concerns

Clear Facts

• Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass appointed two bankers with ties to Chinese intelligence to her transition advisory team, who have also been significant donors to her campaigns and a nonprofit she advises.
• Dominic Ng and Simon Pang, the bankers in question, have been associated with the Chinese Communist Party’s influence operations, raising concerns about their roles in Bass’ administration.
• Both Ng and Pang have contributed substantial amounts to Bass’ mayoral campaign and the Mayor’s Fund For Los Angeles, with their ties to Chinese government organizations drawing scrutiny.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has come under fire for appointing two bankers with connections to Chinese intelligence to her transition advisory team. Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank, and Simon Pang, co-founder of Royal Business Bank, have not only served on her team but have also been major financial supporters of her campaigns and a nonprofit she advises.

These appointments have raised eyebrows due to Ng and Pang’s extensive ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their roles in organizations linked to Chinese government influence operations. Both individuals have been involved with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a CCP arm focused on foreign influence.

Sam Cooper, an investigative reporter, expressed concern over these connections, stating,
“I absolutely believe that anyone holding a United Front position and then landing a spot on a mayor’s transition team is a huge red flag.”

The financial contributions from Ng, East West Bank, and Pang to Bass’ mayoral campaign and the Mayor’s Fund For Los Angeles exceed $1 million. This has led to increased scrutiny from media outlets and China experts, who question the implications of such ties.

Gordon Chang, a China expert, remarked,
“Los Angeles is now a wide-open city for China’s communists. Angelenos can thank the CCP sympathizer-in-chief, Karen Bass.”

Pang’s involvement with Chinese government organizations, such as the Chinese People’s Association For Friendship With Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), has also been highlighted. The U.S. State Department has identified CPAFFC as a “foreign mission” tasked with promoting China’s agenda abroad.

Jacqueline Deal, an advisory board member at State Armor, explained the significance of the United Front, stating,
“[T]he United Front is the CCP’s first ‘magic weapon’ to defeat adversaries.”

Despite these concerns, Bass’ office has not responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, East West Bank’s spokesperson denied Ng’s involvement with certain Chinese government entities, while acknowledging his participation in others.

“The bottom line is this: donations from United Front-linked actors are part of Xi’s strategy to embed the CCP inside democratic systems,” Cooper concluded, emphasizing the potential risks of such financial and political entanglements.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source