According to
Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings, CUSEF is classified as a "foreign principal" which has hired lobbying and public relations firms since 2009 such as
Brown Lloyd James, Fontheim International,
Covington & Burling, Capitol Counsel LLC,
Podesta Group, and
Wilson Global Communications to craft and promote pro-Beijing messages. In 2023, CUSEF launched a campaign to lobby members of the
Congressional Black Caucus.
Sanya Initiative Since 2008, CUSEF has partnered with the
China Association for International Friendly Contact and the
EastWest Institute to organize forums, termed the U.S.-China Sanya Initiative, between retired
People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers and retired U.S. military personnel. Past forums were reported to have attempted to influence retired U.S. military officers to lobby against
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and to delay a Pentagon report on PLA capabilities.
Trips for elected officials In 2019, CUSEF sponsored a trip to China by a delegation of mayors from Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota, including
James Brainard and
Paul TenHaken.
University funding and other activities CUSEF funds the Pacific Community Initiative at the
Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at
Johns Hopkins University. CUSEF also provides funding to the
University of Montana's Max S. Baucus Institute. In 2018, the
University of Texas at Austin refused a donation from CUSEF after a letter by Senator
Ted Cruz raised concerns about the foundation's reported links to the Chinese Communist Party. In 2023, US House representatives
Mike Gallagher,
Ryan Zinke, and
Matt Rosendale pressed the University of Montana to cut ties with CUSEF related to its funding of student trips to China. In January 2026, CUSEF organized a trip to China for a group of
Harvard University students where they met with
Lu Kang of the
International Department of the Chinese Communist Party.
Foundation grants In 2021, CUSEF gave a $5 million grant to the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations. CUSEF also provides funding to the
Carter Center and has partnered with the
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
Brookings Institution,
Atlantic Council, and
Center for American Progress.
Hong Kong Forum 2024 The forum in 2024 included speeches from
Xie Feng, China's ambassador to the United States, and Nicholas Burns, the US ambassador to China delivered through video. The forum was attended by former ambassador
Max Baucus, the 12th United States Trade Representative
Charlene Barshefsky, representatives from families of former US president Carter, Nixon, and Bush.
John Moolenaar, chairman of the
United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and
Fox News has criticized US officials from attending the forum, stating that it would "legitimize the CCP event." == References ==