A prominent Democratic mayor’s campaign was bankrolled by a donor with deep ties to a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence agency.
A Daily Caller News Foundation investigation uncovered that Gary Yu, a fundraiser for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, has connections to the CCP’s United Front Work Department (UFWD). This revelation raises serious questions about foreign influence in American politics.
Yu, who operates Boston International Media Consulting, led efforts to raise over $300,000 for Wu’s 2021 mayoral campaign through a Chinese civic association.
He is listed as an official by the UFWD, a CCP agency known for its overseas influence and intelligence operations. Yu also serves as a recruiter for Chinese regional governments, according to CCP reports and Chinese state media.
Since 2018, Yu has met multiple times with high-ranking CCP intelligence leaders in China. He is an “overseas committee member” for the Hangzhou and Zhejiang branches of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC), a UFWD-affiliated group. ACFROC has been linked to a secret Chinese police station in New York City, highlighting its role in CCP operations abroad.
In November 2018, Yu met with the Hangzhou ACFROC Communist Party secretary, pledging to support Hangzhou’s development through the North American Hangzhou Association (NAHAUS), which he chairs.
He promised NAHAUS would unite overseas Chinese and contribute to China’s goals. This commitment was reported on Chinese social media platforms.
Yu also established an “Overseas Talent Recruitment Work Station” in North America for Nanning’s Organization Department in November 2019. This department oversees China’s Thousand Talents Plan, which seeks to bolster China’s scientific and military capabilities. Yu’s recruitment efforts extended to cities like Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Nanning.
By March 2023, Yu participated in a Zhejiang ACFROC webinar focused on building overseas coalitions. He agreed to recruit U.S. talent for Chinese regional governments, further aligning with CCP objectives. His actions suggest a deliberate effort to advance China’s interests in the U.S.
Yu has actively supported China’s high-tech development, particularly in artificial intelligence. On March 27, 2025, he met with Guangxi ACFROC officials, promising to introduce “top-quality resources” to bolster Guangxi’s AI industry.
In 2018, Chinese media reported Yu’s headhunting for Chengdu’s High-Tech Zone, home to U.S.-sanctioned Chinese military firms like Huawei and Tencent.
Wu, a rising Democratic star, has positioned herself as a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump’s border and deportation policies. During her March 19, 2025, “State of the City” address, Wu defended Boston’s refusal to cooperate with immigration officials. She criticized “presidents who think they are kings,” drawing a sharp rebuke from the White House.
The White House, on March 20, 2025, labeled Wu a “radical mayor” who prioritizes “violent criminal illegal aliens.” This exchange underscores Wu’s prominence in the Democratic resistance to conservative immigration policies. Her association with Yu, however, casts a shadow over her political rise.
Yu has donated $45,515 to Massachusetts Democratic politicians since 2018, including $3,200 to Wu and $2,175 to Gov. Maura Healey, according to state records.
As co-chair of the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECCA), Yu helped raise over $300,000 for Wu’s campaign. NECCA hosted fundraising events for Wu in November 2020 and June 2021, expanding efforts to over 30 states by September 2021.
NECCA’s fundraising extended to at least nine Massachusetts politicians, including Healey. Yu described his work for Wu, saying, “We organized so many fundraisers and translated campaign materials into Chinese.” His efforts included weekly street canvassing, as reported by Boston University News Service in November 2021.
Experts warn of the CCP’s broader strategy to infiltrate U.S. politics. Michael Lucci, CEO of State Armor, told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “China’s strategy to influence state and local policymakers is executed through civil society organizations affiliated with the CCP’s UFWD.”
Gordon Chang, a China expert, raised alarms about Yu’s ties to Wu, stating, “The Communist Party’s UFWD never rests.” He questioned whether Wu’s “ultra-leftism” stems from CCP influence, adding, “It’s time for law enforcement to investigate.” These concerns highlight the urgent need to safeguard American democracy from foreign interference.