EXPOSED: CCP-Linked Foundation Undermines Trump's Energy Independence Push

Paul Riverbank, 6/17/2025Investigation reveals Chinese Communist Party's covert influence through US environmental foundation and cyber operations.

The Expanding Web of Chinese Influence: A Complex Reality Check

As someone who's spent decades analyzing international relations, I'm increasingly troubled by the sophisticated ways Beijing is extending its reach into American institutions. What's particularly striking isn't just the obvious moves – it's the subtle, almost invisible threads being woven into our national fabric.

Take the recent State Armor exposé on the Energy Foundation China. Here's a San Francisco outfit that looks like any other environmental nonprofit on paper. But dig deeper, and you'll find something far more concerning: millions of dollars flowing into U.S. climate policy initiatives, all while maintaining peculiarly close ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

I spoke with Will Hild at Consumers Research last week about this. He didn't mince words: "They're trying to undermine American energy independence through the back door." The evidence backs him up – especially those disturbing findings about Chinese-made solar equipment containing unauthorized communication devices. Think about that for a moment. We're talking about potential surveillance hardware hidden in our green energy infrastructure.

But Beijing isn't putting all its eggs in one basket. Just ask the Washington Post reporters who discovered their Microsoft email accounts had been compromised. These weren't random targets – they were journalists covering China, particularly those on national security and economic policy beats. It's the kind of targeted operation that sends chills down any newsroom's spine.

What makes this strategy particularly effective is its dual nature. On one side, you have organizations like EFC, led by former CCP official Ji Zou, openly funding prestigious American universities like Harvard and Berkeley. On the other, you've got sophisticated cyber operations working in the shadows. It's a classic pincer movement, but with 21st-century tools.

I'm reminded of something Chinese climate envoy Zhenmin Liu said back in 2016. He basically bragged that even Trump's administration couldn't fully reverse the green transition in the U.S. Looking back now, it feels less like an observation and more like a statement of confidence in their long-term strategy.

The Post's cyber attack situation is particularly worrying. Executive Editor Matt Murray had to implement a complete overhaul of security protocols – not exactly what you want to be focusing on when you're trying to run a newsroom covering critical global issues.

Here's what keeps me up at night: these aren't isolated incidents. They're part of a carefully orchestrated campaign to reshape American policy and public opinion. Whether it's through environmental initiatives or cyber attacks, the end goal remains the same – advancing Chinese interests while potentially compromising American security.

The real challenge ahead isn't just identifying these influence operations – it's figuring out how to maintain our commitment to environmental progress and open dialogue while protecting ourselves from foreign interference. As someone who's watched this space for years, I can tell you: we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

The Expanding Web of Chinese Influence: A Complex Reality CheckAs someone who's spent decades analyzing international relations, I'm increasingly troubled by the sophisticated ways Beijing is extending its reach into American institutions. What's particularly striking isn't just the obvious moves – it's the subtle, almost invisible threads being woven into our national fabric.Take the recent State Armor exposé on the Energy Foundation China. Here's a San Francisco outfit that looks like any other environmental nonprofit on paper. But dig deeper, and you'll find something far more concerning: millions of dollars flowing into U.S. climate policy initiatives, all while maintaining peculiarly close ties to the Chinese Communist Party.I spoke with Will Hild at Consumers Research last week about this. He didn't mince words: "They're trying to undermine American energy independence through the back door." The evidence backs him up – especially those disturbing findings about Chinese-made solar equipment containing unauthorized communication devices. Think about that for a moment. We're talking about potential surveillance hardware hidden in our green energy infrastructure.But Beijing isn't putting all its eggs in one basket. Just ask the Washington Post reporters who discovered their Microsoft email accounts had been compromised. These weren't random targets – they were journalists covering China, particularly those on national security and economic policy beats. It's the kind of targeted operation that sends chills down any newsroom's spine.What makes this strategy particularly effective is its dual nature. On one side, you have organizations like EFC, led by former CCP official Ji Zou, openly funding prestigious American universities like Harvard and Berkeley. On the other, you've got sophisticated cyber operations working in the shadows. It's a classic pincer movement, but with 21st-century tools.I'm reminded of something Chinese climate envoy Zhenmin Liu said back in 2016. He basically bragged that even Trump's administration couldn't fully reverse the green transition in the U.S. Looking back now, it feels less like an observation and more like a statement of confidence in their long-term strategy.The Post's cyber attack situation is particularly worrying. Executive Editor Matt Murray had to implement a complete overhaul of security protocols – not exactly what you want to be focusing on when you're trying to run a newsroom covering critical global issues.Here's what keeps me up at night: these aren't isolated incidents. They're part of a carefully orchestrated campaign to reshape American policy and public opinion. Whether it's through environmental initiatives or cyber attacks, the end goal remains the same – advancing Chinese interests while potentially compromising American security.The real challenge ahead isn't just identifying these influence operations – it's figuring out how to maintain our commitment to environmental progress and open dialogue while protecting ourselves from foreign interference. As someone who's watched this space for years, I can tell you: we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.