Was Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife Wendi Deng spying for the Chinese? US intelligence officials reportedly warned Jared Kushner she might be
Deng worked as an intern at Star TV in Hong Kong, where she eventually became a junior executive – and ultimately met Murdoch, who was the owner at the time
US counter-intelligence officials warned US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in early 2017 that Chinese-American businesswoman Wendi Deng Murdoch might be using their friendship to benefit Chinese government interests, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Citing unidentified sources familiar with the matter, the Journal said US officials were also concerned that the ex-wife of media magnate Rupert Murdoch – who owns the newspaper – was lobbying to push a major Chinese-funded construction project in Washington.
The bid concerns a planned US$100 million Chinese garden at the National Arboretum, located just steps from Congress and near the White House.
The Journal said intelligence officials consider it a national security risk because it features a 21-metre tower that could be used for surveillance.
Kushner received the warnings as part of regular briefings he receives due to his role as a senior adviser to Trump, who took office a year ago.
Asked about the report, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: “We really hope relevant people can put the pragmatic cooperation between US and China in all areas in perspective.