Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s extensive travel to China has come under increased scrutiny following his selection as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate.

New concerns center on whether Walz adhered to foreign travel reporting requirements, raising potential security issues due to his frequent visits to China and his role at a state-run educational institution there, as the New York Post reports.

Walz, who has a background in international relations, lectured at Macau Polytechnic University, a state-run institution in China, until at least 2007.

His association with the university began in 1989, during the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre, when he first traveled to China as a teacher.

Over the years, Walz made more than 30 trips to China, many while he held senior-ranking positions in Minnesota's Army National Guard, sparking questions about his compliance with military reporting protocols.

Concerns Over Security and Reporting Compliance

U.S. Congressman Jim Banks of Indiana has raised concerns regarding the security implications of Walz's numerous visits to China. Banks has called for a Pentagon investigation to determine whether Walz reported these trips as required by law.

He emphasized the need for U.S. service members, especially those with security clearances, to report foreign travel, particularly to adversarial countries like China. “An individual with a clearance should have had the good judgement not to engage in such travel in the first place,” Banks said in his Aug. 12 letter, “and any superiors or security officers for that individual are obliged to prevent such risky behavior.”

The scrutiny is compounded by Walz’s involvement with the Macau Polytechnic University, which supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The university, established in 1981, has been integral in cultivating talent aligned with China’s global strategy.

Marcus Im Sio Kei, a representative of the university, stated, “We do this in alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. We are committed to cultivate talented individuals to serve the country and Macau.”

Walz’s Deep Ties to China

Walz’s connection to China dates back to the spring of 1989 when he went to teach high school in Foshan, Guangdong province. During this period, he witnessed the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre, an experience that he shared with a congressional panel on China in 2014.

“As the events were unfolding, several of us went in. I still remember the train station in Hong Kong. There was a large number of people -- especially Europeans, I think -- very angry that we would still go after what had happened,” Walz recalled.

Walz’s teaching role in China was part of a program under World Teach, a nonprofit based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was responsible for teaching American culture and English to 1,000 high school and middle-school students weekly. His work in China left a lasting impression, with Walz once stating, “No matter how long I live, I will never be treated that well again.”

Business Ventures and Personal Ties to China

In addition to his teaching, Walz and his wife, Gwen, established a for-profit company in Nebraska in 1995. The company, Educational Travel Adventures, aimed to take high-school students on educational trips to China.

Gwen served as the president, while Walz took on the roles of secretary and treasurer. Their personal connection to China is further highlighted by their wedding date -- June 4, 1994 -- which coincided with the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Gwen remarked on their choice of date, stating, “He wanted a date he’ll always remember.”

Despite his deep ties to China, Walz has also been a vocal advocate for human rights in the region. In 2017, he co-sponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, demonstrating his support for democratic values in the face of China’s authoritarian policies.

Conclusion: Questions Linger Over Walz's China Ties

The extensive nature of Tim Walz’s trips to China, particularly during his tenure in the Army National Guard, has raised significant questions about his adherence to security protocols and the potential risks involved.

Congressman Jim Banks’s call for an investigation underscores the concerns surrounding Walz’s foreign travel reporting compliance, especially in light of his vice-presidential candidacy.

While Walz’s career has been marked by what he describes as significant contributions to education and human rights advocacy, his close ties to China and the scrutiny they now attract may pose challenges as he steps into the national spotlight.