Beijing’s Influence Group Seeks Partnership With State Agricultural Officials, After Teaming Up With Bill Gates for Years

Microsoft founder Bill Gates (centre L) arrives to take part in a forum at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Nov. 5, 2018. Matthew Knight/AFP via Getty Images

A number of U.S. government officials recently took part in a virtual agriculture event co-hosted by a Beijing-backed influence association that has ties to Bill Gates.

The U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2003, held the 2022 U.S.–China Agriculture Roundtable earlier this month. The online event was co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).