The recent emergence of photographs depicting President Biden, during his vice presidency, alongside Hunter Biden’s Chinese business associates has intensified scrutiny surrounding his assertions of never discussing business matters with his son. Obtained by America First Legal through legal action against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), these images portray then-Vice President Biden introducing Hunter Biden to Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Vice President Li Yuanchao. Further photographs capture Joe Biden posing with Hunter’s associates from BHR Partners, a private equity firm with ties to the Bank of China, including Jonathan Li and Ming Xue. These visual records raise questions about the extent of Joe Biden’s involvement in his son’s business dealings, particularly given his past denials.
The release of these photos, delayed until after the 2024 election, according to America First Legal, adds another layer to the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden’s business activities. The timing of the release has fueled accusations of deliberate obfuscation by the Biden administration. America First Legal argues that the photos corroborate findings from the House Oversight Committee’s investigation, which indicated that Hunter Biden facilitated meetings between his father and BHR executives, including Jonathan Li, during a 2013 trip to China. The committee’s investigation also suggested that the Biden family financially benefited from these dealings.
Hunter Biden’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee earlier this year acknowledged his introduction of his father to Jonathan Li and a friend at a hotel rope line during the 2013 China trip. However, he maintained that he did not disclose any details about Li’s identity to his father. Joe Biden has consistently denied any participation in or knowledge of his son’s overseas business dealings, a stance contradicted by Devon Archer, Hunter’s former business partner, who testified that Joe Biden participated in speakerphone calls with Hunter’s business associates on at least 20 occasions.
The photographs and related revelations have ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, with commentators questioning President Biden’s veracity and highlighting the potential for conflicts of interest arising from these connections. The controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s business dealings, compounded by these newly surfaced photographs, underscores the ongoing debate about transparency and ethical conduct within the Biden family. The accusations range from influence peddling to impropriety, further fueled by President Biden’s recent pardon of his son for any potential crimes committed since 2014.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is a 2014 email exchange, previously reported by Fox News Digital, in which Hunter Biden offered to introduce his business associates to C.H. Tung, a high-ranking Chinese official, to discuss potential investments. This email, which refers to the same 2013 China trip, further implicates Hunter Biden in leveraging his father’s position for business gains. The email thread suggests a close relationship between Hunter Biden and Tung, allegedly having sat next to each other at a dinner hosted by President Xi in honor of then-Vice President Joe Biden.
The breadth of President Biden’s pardon for his son, covering any potential offenses dating back to 2014, has amplified concerns about potential obstruction of justice and raised questions about the scope of Hunter Biden’s activities. While the White House has remained silent on the specifics of the pardon, critics argue that it serves to shield Hunter Biden from further scrutiny and accountability. The continuing emergence of evidence related to Hunter Biden’s business dealings, coupled with the president’s pardon, casts a long shadow over the Biden administration, raising questions about ethical conduct and potential conflicts of interest. The administration’s lack of response to inquiries about the pardon and the newly surfaced photographs adds to the perception of a lack of transparency.
