Gavin Newsom’s Alleged Ties to China Exposed in New Book

In a new explosive book set to release on Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom is thrust into the spotlight as authors Jedd McFatter and Susan Crabtree detail his controversial involvement with a nonprofit initiative, ChinaSF, which they claim opened the doors to Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-aligned businesses, fostering corruption and undermining American interests.

Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Con Artists, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All casts a damning light on Newsom’s early political career and ties to foreign entities whose actions may have harmed both local economies and national security.

The Genesis of a Controversial Partnership

The book draws particular attention to Newsom’s rise to power in San Francisco, with strong backing from the Chinese community. In 2004, he celebrated his victory in Chinatown, signaling a deep connection with the city’s Chinese residents. According to McFatter and Crabtree, this relationship was not merely symbolic but laid the groundwork for one of Newsom’s most pivotal yet controversial initiatives — ChinaSF.

Launched in 2011, ChinaSF was intended to create a bridge for Chinese businesses to expand into the Bay Area, but the book suggests it served a darker purpose. The authors claim that Newsom, after a 2008 trip to Shanghai where he met with influential CCP-linked businessman Vincent Lo, orchestrated the program with an eye on ushering in billions of dollars from Chinese companies. While the initiative’s success in boosting San Francisco’s economy is undeniable — reportedly contributing over $5.5 billion and attracting 108 Chinese companies — the authors argue that its benefits came with serious strings attached.

A Gateway for Corruption and National Security Risks

The authors delve deeper into the companies that ChinaSF brought to California, some of which they claim have been linked to corrupt practices. One of the most troubling examples cited in the book is Suntech, a Chinese solar company developed with strong ties to the CCP. Not only did Newsom personally recruit Suntech, but he also publicly praised its CEO, Dr. Zhengrong Shi, who was later appointed to ChinaSF’s advisory board. The book further alleges that Newsom received political contributions from Z&L, a Chinese real estate company embroiled in bribery scandals.

Even more concerning, according to McFatter and Crabtree, is ChinaSF’s role in facilitating the influx of Chinese biotech and pharmaceutical firms, some with shadowy ties to China’s military. The book names JOINN Laboratories, a biotech company with reported connections to the Chinese military, as one of the most alarming recruits through the initiative.

Unveiling the ChinaSF Network

While ChinaSF was branded as a nonprofit, the authors reveal troubling details about its operational structure. Between 2009 and 2014, it functioned as a limited liability company, embedded within the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. This structure, the book claims, allowed Newsom and his allies to shield ChinaSF’s operations from public scrutiny while fostering economic and technological transfer to China.

One of the most alarming revelations in Fool’s Gold concerns ChinaSF’s connections to Huawei, the notorious Chinese telecom giant long accused of espionage and intellectual property theft. In 2016, Huawei became a major sponsor of ChinaSF, funding events that helped establish a research and development center in San Francisco. Despite growing concerns over Huawei’s national security threat, Newsom’s office did not disclose the financial support ChinaSF received from the company, which generated over $75 billion in revenue that year.

The book underscores a troubling lack of accountability in Newsom’s dealings with Chinese interests, particularly when it comes to the companies that were allowed entry into the U.S. with minimal vetting. McFatter and Crabtree assert that ChinaSF’s real legacy lies in its role as a “bureaucratic mirage” — a program that enabled the exploitation of American technology, property, and wealth for the benefit of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Questioning Newsom’s Leadership

As Newsom seeks to present himself as a moderate Democrat capable of uniting California, Fool’s Gold offers a stark contrast to the image he’s tried to cultivate. Critics have long accused him of distancing himself from his controversial past, particularly during his tenure as mayor of San Francisco. In an attempt to reframe his legacy, Newsom has frequently pivoted from the “worst moments” of his leadership, according to political analysts. The book argues that Newsom’s alliances, including his financial dealings and support for Chinese corporations, have played a significant role in shaping his political career and must not be overlooked as the governor continues to gain national prominence.

In their conclusion, McFatter and Crabtree argue that Newsom’s involvement with ChinaSF was part of a broader effort to transform San Francisco into a hub for Chinese business interests, at the expense of American citizens and national security. Their analysis paints a picture of a public-private partnership that was never fully transparent, leaving taxpayers and voters with little to no oversight of the deals that were made behind closed doors.

Calls for Accountability

While Newsom’s office declined to comment on the book’s allegations, the release of Fool’s Gold raises critical questions about the integrity of California’s leadership and its ties to foreign powers. As the book warns, the unchecked influence of Chinese corporations in California threatens not just local economies but also the broader integrity of American democracy.

In the coming days, as Fool’s Gold hits bookshelves, expect a renewed debate over Newsom’s leadership, with critics calling for further scrutiny into his past dealings with China and his connections to corporate giants. With mounting concerns over foreign influence and corruption, the book serves as a wake-up call to all Americans: it’s time to demand accountability from their leaders.