Former Hochul Aide's Family Ties to CCP Spark Security Concerns

A former senior aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has come under scrutiny after it emerged she is the daughter of a prominent Chinese journalist with a longstanding history in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) state media and propaganda operations. Elaine Fan, also known as Fan Xiaojiang, has become a notable figure in Democratic party politics in New York, now serving as chief of staff for Scott Stringer's mayoral campaign. Her background and familial connections are raising concerns among observers and experts about potential foreign influence in U.S. political circles.

Fan's career in public service began following nearly a decade as chief reporter for Ming Pao Daily News, a Chinese-language newspaper that, according to several think tanks and reports, has been described as being "heavily influenced" by the Chinese government. Before moving to state government roles in 2014, she reported on issues relevant to the Chinese American community. According to recent campaign finance filings, Fan has been compensated over $120,000 by the Stringer campaign in less than a year, reflecting her central role in New York's political scene.

Her family’s deep ties to the CCP have drawn particular attention. Multiple online biographies and university press releases confirm that her father, Fan Dongsheng, previously worked as deputy director for the Education Department of the News Bureau of the CCP’s Central Propaganda Department. He occupied several leadership posts at state-run Chinese media outlets, including a term as president and editorial director of China Press (Qiaobao) in New York. The State Department and other respected institutions have identified China Press as a foreign mission and a conduit for Chinese state propaganda.

Fan’s grandfather, Fan Changjiang, was a member of the CCP since 1939 and held leadership roles at influential outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily, underscoring a multigenerational legacy in official Chinese media. Further compounding concerns, her uncle, Fan Xiaojian, served in key CCP economic positions and was a delegate to high-level national party congresses.

Elaine Fan's activities in the United States show consistent involvement with entities linked to China’s United Front system—an organization tasked with promoting CCP narratives and interests overseas. She has attended events hosted by the Chinese Consulate in New York as well as gatherings sponsored by United Front organizations. In September 2023, Fan was a guest of honor at an event celebrating the U.S.-Fujian Western Overseas Chinese Association, a group identified by Chinese authorities as part of the United Front network. She also delivered remarks at a reception marking the 74th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, attended by top Chinese diplomats.

Beyond her presence at such events, Fan has been public about her family's legacy. In 2017, she gave a speech at a journalism school in China named after her grandfather, and has not explicitly distanced herself from her relatives’ work in CCP-controlled media. Observers note that this type of background, and her active participation in United Front activities, represents a significant potential channel for foreign influence in U.S. policymaking and electoral processes.

The case is part of a broader pattern of scrutiny regarding Chinese government influence in American politics, particularly in New York. Governor Hochul’s office has faced criticism before; last year, a former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, was indicted on multiple federal charges, including violations related to acting as a foreign agent and conspiracy. That indictment detailed communications between Sun and Chinese consular officials, including efforts to influence the governor’s public statements about human rights issues in China.

Political observers, including fellows from prominent think tanks, have expressed deep concern at the implications for New York City’s political environment. One commentator emphasized that individuals with direct work experience in CCP-controlled media, or with close connections to foreign propaganda efforts, should not be placed in positions of influence in American electoral politics. The presence of such figures, they argue, raises pressing questions about transparency, loyalty, and the safeguarding of American democratic institutions against foreign interference.

Amid escalating U.S.-China tensions and repeated warnings from federal agencies about Chinese government efforts to exert influence within the United States, revelations about Elaine Fan’s family history, career trajectory, and current political access have prompted renewed calls for vigilance among city and state officials. At present, neither Fan nor Governor Hochul’s office has issued public comment in response to these growing concerns.