Dr. Wen Chen Speaks to Republican Women of Whatcom County

Recap by Tonya Hickman

Dr. Chen's Personal Story

The Republican Women of Whatcom County recently welcomed Wen Chen, a researcher and speaker originally from Communist China who now works in the fields of information research and artificial intelligence. Dr. Chen earned her Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology and has spent years speaking publicly on Chinese culture, human rights, censorship, and the growing global influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

One of the more personal moments of the luncheon came as Dr. Chen shared her story growing up in Communist China. She explained that she had been taught a very different version of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre incident. After arriving in the United States as a college student, classmates challenged what she believed and helped her see the truth about what had actually happened.

What stood out was the humility and courage it took to reconsider everything she had been taught growing up under Communist rule. Dr. Chen shared that learning the truth about Tiananmen Square became a turning point that opened her eyes to the level of censorship and propaganda within Communist China. It was inspiring to hear how that realization eventually led her to spend much of her life speaking publicly about truth, freedom, and human rights despite the personal cost. Because of her advocacy work, she, her husband, and their two daughters cannot safely return to China to visit her parents and brother. That sacrifice alone spoke volumes.

Global Influence and Economic Expansion

Throughout the presentation, Dr. Chen described what she views as an ongoing struggle between authoritarian regimes and free societies. She discussed China’s alliances with countries including North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Russia, arguing that the CCP uses financial support, technology, infrastructure, and political influence to expand its power globally. According to the presentation, China’s Belt and Road Initiative now impacts roughly 150 countries through infrastructure projects that can create long term economic dependence.

Dr. Chen explained that many of these projects involve China supplying not only financing, but also materials and labor. In some cases, she said, countries unable to repay the debt associated with these projects lose operational control over important infrastructure such as ports and transportation systems, allowing China to gain strategic footholds around the world.

Technology, Data Collection, and Cybersecurity Concerns

Technology and cybersecurity were also major themes of the luncheon. Dr. Chen raised concerns about Chinese owned applications such as TikTok, WeChat, Temu, and Shein, as well as Chinese manufactured hardware including Hikvision surveillance systems, DJI drones, and ZPMC cargo cranes. She encouraged attendees to think carefully before downloading Chinese owned apps, specifically mentioning Temu, Shein, and TikTok, warning that under China’s National Intelligence Law, companies can be compelled to cooperate with the CCP and provide access to user data. Dr. Chen stated that this could potentially include passwords and other sensitive personal information. She also expressed concern that many young Americans now receive much of their news through platforms such as TikTok, creating what she described as an information bubble vulnerable to propaganda and political influence, with the goal of creating sympathy toward pro-China policies.

Education, Media, and Cultural Influence

Another area Dr. Chen spent considerable time discussing was education, media influence, and the slow shaping of public opinion here in the United States. She talked about Confucius Institutes that once operated on campuses across America and the concerns surrounding censorship, propaganda, and distorted versions of history being taught through Chinese government connected programs. She specifically mentioned schools such as Pacific Lutheran University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles as examples of institutions she believes have experienced varying levels of CCP influence through partnerships, educational programs, funding, or relationships connected to the Chinese government. She also discussed what she described as Chinese financial and political influence within parts of mainstream media and Hollywood.

The Cultural Revolution and the Destruction of Tradition

One of the more upsetting parts of the presentation centered on the destruction of traditional Chinese culture during Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. Dr. Chen explained that millions were persecuted and families destroyed their own treasured artwork, books, heirlooms, and cultural artifacts out of fear. She described it as an intentional attempt by the CCP to erase religion, tradition, family heritage, and independent thought. What struck many in the room was her explanation that after trying to destroy authentic Chinese culture, the CCP then created its own state approved version of “Chinese culture,” packaged in a way that supports Communist ideology and propaganda while disconnecting people from true history and tradition.

Forced Organ Harvesting Allegations

The conversation later turned to one of the most disturbing subjects of the afternoon, allegations of forced organ harvesting from persecuted groups in China, particularly Falun Gong practitioners and Uyghur Muslims. Dr. Chen referenced reports that while it often takes around three years in the United States to receive a kidney transplant, organs in China can allegedly be obtained in days or even within 24 hours. As a former dialysis nurse myself, that comparison was especially sobering to hear. She also discussed concerns that some Americans travel to China seeking faster access to organs without fully understanding where those organs may have come from. Attendees also discussed current federal legislation in the United States Senate aimed at addressing forced organ harvesting and discouraging Americans from participating in what many human rights advocates believe is a deeply unethical system tied to persecution and political imprisonment.

Falun Gong and Shen Yun

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, was discussed as a spiritual and meditation practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture and centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Dr. Chen explained that practitioners have faced severe persecution by the CCP since 1999. She also shared that Shen Yun, the performing arts company founded by practitioners of Falun Gong, seeks to preserve and showcase authentic traditional Chinese culture through music and dance. According to Dr. Chen, Shen Yun has faced ongoing pressure, threats, disinformation campaigns, lawsuits, and intimidation efforts from the CCP because it presents a vision of Chinese culture independent from Communist control.

Transnational Repression and Overseas Influence

Dr. Chen also addressed what she described as the CCP’s “long arm policing,” referencing reports of overseas Chinese police stations and transnational repression efforts targeting dissidents living abroad. The presentation included discussion of recent federal cases involving individuals accused of acting as CCP agents in Los Angeles and attempting to influence local politics and intimidate critics of the Chinese government.

Questions from Attendees

During the question and answer portion of the luncheon, attendees asked about tourism, pharmaceuticals, drug trafficking, Christianity in China, and the CCP’s relationship with the environment and manufacturing. One attendee who, along with her husband, shared that there is a large underground church movement. The CCP requires churches to register and then places restrictions on and provides inaccurate Bibles to distort the truth of God’s Word. Christianity is becoming an increasingly persecuted group, but still continues to flourish.

Final Reflections

For many in attendance, the presentation served as a reminder that the struggle between freedom and authoritarianism is not simply happening overseas. Through technology, economics, media, education, and political influence, Dr. Chen argued that these issues increasingly affect communities here in the United States as well. Sobering, yes, but also a powerful reminder that freedom is never guaranteed. Hearing from someone who personally lived under Communist rule made it impossible to take our liberties for granted. Dr. Chen’s message was ultimately a call to stay informed, speak truth boldly, and protect the freedoms that so many Americans have grown comfortable assuming will always be there.