Other Group

Alliance of Asian American Friends (AAAF)

Website:

www.aaafus.org

Location:

Flushing, NY

Type:

Cultural Affinity Group

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Alliance of Asian American Friends (AAAF) is an affinity group for persons of Chinese descent. It is an alliance of pro-China groups, mostly located in New York City. Critics allege the coalition and its member groups have extensive ties to the Chinese government. Among its member groups is the American Changle Association, which has been accused of housing an overseas Chinese police bureau in New York City and of aligning with the Chinese Communist Party-aligned United Front Work Department. The AAAF supported the election campaign of New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D). 1 2

Background

Alliance of Asian American Friends describes itself as an alliance of associations supporting the Chinese-American community in the United States. It was formed in 2021 and in that year, held a rally endorsing the New York City mayoral bid of Eric Adams. It also endorsed and held a fundraiser for the campaign of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (D). 3

 

AAAF also promotes voter registration and turnout and works to encourage Asian Americans to actively participate in politics. 4

Ties to the Chinese Communist Party

Alliance of Asian American Friends is allegedly tied to multiple organizations that promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda or are in part controlled by Chinese state agencies. One notable AAAF member group is the American Changle Association, which allegedly operated a CCP-affiliated overseas Chinese police bureau in New York City, as reported by the Daily Caller. Lu Jianshun, also known as James Lu, is both president of the American Changle Association and co-chairman of AAAF. Lu is connected to the United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that is “tasked with running influence operations and monitoring overseas Chinese communities,” according to the Daily Caller. Lu has hosted events and conference calls with UFWD and other Chinese government officials on topics including COVID-19 and the Chinese Communist Party’s 100th anniversary. 5

Affiliated Organizations

The 42 organizations listed as members of the Alliance of Asian American Friends (AAAF) include the Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the New York Chinese Business Association, Wen Chow Association, American Changle Association, American Chinese Empowerment Association, Brooklyn Community Improvement Association, Global Chinese Women’s Cultural Association, Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce Greater Washington, the Relay of Love Foundation, and the Chinese Non-Governmental Organization Foundation. 6

References

  1. Burrow, Micaela and Lenczycki. “EXCLUSIVE: Chinese Donor, Fundraiser For NYC Mayor Eric Adams Worked Closely With Communist Party Influence Operation.” Daily Caller. October 26, 2022. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://dailycaller.com/2022/10/26/eric-adams-chinese-ccp-donor-nyc/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking&pnespid=r6k4CzpDbblExqCZ9za3FoCFoRixX4JqMfrsxu9mrQ9mk5D.Ebi8WjeWtx5Oo6HEhqpfYMjU
  2. “Our Team.” Alliance of Asian American Friends. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.aaafus.org/our-team
  3. [1] “Past Events.” Alliance of Asian American Friends. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.aaafus.org/past-events
  4. “Mission.” Alliance of Asian American Friends. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.aaafus.org/memberships
  5. Burrow, Micaela and Lenczycki. “EXCLUSIVE: Chinese Donor, Fundraiser For NYC Mayor Eric Adams Worked Closely With Communist Party Influence Operation.” Daily Caller. October 26, 2022. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://dailycaller.com/2022/10/26/eric-adams-chinese-ccp-donor-nyc/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking&pnespid=r6k4CzpDbblExqCZ9za3FoCFoRixX4JqMfrsxu9mrQ9mk5D.Ebi8WjeWtx5Oo6HEhqpfYMjU
  6. “List of All Alliance Units.” Alliance of Asian American Friends. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.aaafus.org/new-page
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Alliance of Asian American Friends (AAAF)


Flushing, NY