Democratic Party vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's connections to China, where he had been a teacher, have come for renewed scrutiny after a former student alleged that she had a romantic relationship with him.
The vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Republican Marco Rubio said in an X post, "If you aspire to be Vice President of the United States, voters deserve to know everything about any and every link you have to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)."
Earlier, the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability had asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for information it had about Walz's connections to China expressing concern that the CCP could influence the White House if he is elected.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that the woman, now 59 years old and living in Europe, claimed that they had a "passionate" affair in 1989 while he was a 24-year-old teacher at a school in Foshan in Guangdong Province.
"Tim was very passionate and very romantic. I can still remember dancing with him to our favourite song, 'Careless Whisper'," Jenna Wang, who said she was the daughter of a high-ranking communist, told the Mail.
They kept their relationship secret because of her father's status, she said.
She asserted that she had expected to marry him and that he refused and accused her of only wanting to move to the US.
The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz did not reply to requests from several media outlets for a reaction.
Rubio's tweet rekindles questions about Walz's China links raised in the House of Representatives Committee.
Its Chair James Comer wrote last month to FBI Director Christopher Wray, "The Committee is concerned that Mr. Walz's involvement with Chinese entities and officials may have allowed the CCP to influence his decision-making as a congressman and governor and potentially would allow the CCP to influence the White House should Mr. Walz be elected vice president".
According to the panel, he reiterated the panel's request "for all information, documents, and communications in the FBI's possession related to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) connected entities and officials Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has engaged and partnered with".
Although the FBI had said in August it would give the panel the information, it had not, Comer said.
He said that Walz has visited China 30 times, including a trip with students in 1993 that was partly financed by China.
While Walz was in Congress, Comer wrote quoting a report, that he "helped secure over $2 million" and "pushed for a $5 million federal budget allocation" for the Hormel Institute, which is a "Minnesota-based medical research center with a history of working with the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China".
He added, "The FBI appears to deem these concerning facts unpersuasive to require its cooperation with a congressional investigation. The FBI told the Committee that the Bureau’s Foreign Influence Task Force investigates this kind of CCP activity."
The Wuhan institution is suspected of being a source for the Covid pandemic.
Walz was a former high school teacher in Minnesota before entering politics and becoming the state's governor and ultimately being picked by Harris to run with her.
Soon after his graduation when he was 24 in 1989, Walz went to China as a teacher under a programme sponsored by an NGO, World Teach.
A controversy arose over the timing of the assignment because he claimed to have been in China during the Tiananmen Square uprising demanding democracy.
He later conceded that he was in Hong Kong at the time and said his claim was "knuckleheaded".
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.