The Chinese billionaire who pled guilty this week to illegally funneling money to New York politicians has a colorful business history in China, owning a notorious Beijing nightclub and amassing a media empire — all while stacking up a long list of legal troubles.
When Chinese billionaire Qin Hui pled guilty last Monday to illegally funneling more than $11,000 worth of donations to politicians in New York and Rhode Island, much of the reporting focused on his alleged ties to beleaguered New York mayor Eric Adams.
The charges in a New York federal court against Qin — who faces up to 27 years in prison — didn’t mention Adams by name. But the New York Times reported that the mayor was one beneficiary of a so-called ‘straw donor’ scheme, through
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Chinese companies have decided that the best place to make money right now is outside of China. The phenomenon known as chu hai (出海), which translates to “go global,” has taken hold, marking a kind of second 'go out' initiative. This time, however, Chinese companies are being met with scrutiny and suspicion.
The former Commerce Secretary and ambassador to China talks about how his background shaped his approach to dealing with Beijing, the pivot to Asia and negotiating Chen Guangcheng's release.
A podcast about how the two nations, once friends, are now foes.
Hear why things are so complicated now. Host Jane Perlez, former New York Times Beijing bureau chief, talks with diplomats, spies, cultural superstars like Yo Yo Ma, and more to understand why the dangers are so high, and why relations went awry.