The Trump White House had previously expressed concerns about visitors with ties to China’s Communist Party coming to the United States, citing potential security threats. However, the administration appeared to make an exception for He Tianying, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (C.P.P.C.C.), when it allowed him access to the White House and a private dinner with President Trump.
He Tianying was one of the top buyers of Trump’s digital currency, a memecoin launched just before his inauguration. To boost sales, Trump’s business partners organized a contest in April, offering the top buyers a tour of the White House and a private dinner with Trump at his Virginia golf club. He Tianying, registered as a resident of Hong Kong at the Trump event, is a delegate of the Fangshan C.P.P.C.C., a district of Beijing, and advises the Chinese government through his role on the organization’s science and technology committee.
While the C.P.P.C.C. is an advisory body that seeks to broaden the Communist Party’s influence and solicit support from influential people in Chinese society, there is no indication that He Tianying is a member of the Communist Party. The government body he serves on is considered fairly low-level. The incident raises questions about the Trump administration’s inconsistent approach to dealing with individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party.
