A decades-old romance between Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and the daughter of a Chinese Communist Party official has resurfaced, bringing unexpected revelations about his time as an English teacher in China.
According to New York Post, Jenna Wang, now 59, has come forward with claims about a tumultuous relationship that allegedly drove her to contemplate suicide after a bitter ending in 1989.
The relationship developed during Walz's tenure as a high school English instructor in Foshan, Guangdong province, where he worked through the nonprofit organization WorldTeach. Wang, who taught at a nearby middle school, became romantically involved with the future Minnesota governor, leading to what she describes as an intense courtship.
The couple maintained their relationship away from the watchful eyes of Wang's father, Bin Hui, a prominent labor union leader in Guilin. Their encounters included private moments sharing tea and holding hands, activities that needed to remain concealed due to her father's position, and likely disapproval of his daughter dating a Westerner.
Their romance blossomed through shared activities such as karaoke sessions, with Walz expressing his affection through gifts, including gold jewelry and fashionable blue jeans. The relationship appeared to be heading toward marriage, according to Wang's account.
Wang, speaking about the relationship's impact, shared her emotional statement with the New York Post:
I was deeply insulted, hurt and I had to leave that place, because many people knew that we had a relationship.
The romance took an unexpected turn when discussions about Wang's intentions arose. A dispute emerged over whether her feelings were genuine or motivated by a desire to obtain a visa to the United States, despite her claimed willingness to abandon her life in China for a future with Walz.
After Walz's return to the United States, he maintained communication through letters and requested Wang's passport-sized photograph, actions she interpreted as steps toward securing her visa. The misunderstanding about their future together led to a devastating end for Wang.
In her open letter to American voters, Wang describes feeling objectified by the experience, saying:
Knowing now that he wasn't going to marry me made me feel cheap and common, as if I was being treated like a prostitute.
Following their breakup, Walz returned to China in 1993, leading a summer student program connecting Nebraska and Minnesota high school students with Chinese institutions. By 1994, he had married Gwen Whipple back in the United States.
The timing of Walz's wedding date, June 4, coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, a choice his wife later explained was meant to ensure he would never forget their anniversary. This detail has drawn criticism from Wang, who questions Walz's character and integrity.
The Harris-Walz campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment about these allegations, leaving questions unanswered about this chapter in the vice presidential nominee's past.
The emergence of this personal history comes at a crucial time in American politics, as Walz campaigns alongside Kamala Harris for the nation's second-highest office. The story has gained particular significance given the current complex relationship between the United States and China. These revelations about Walz's past in China present voters with additional context about the vice presidential nominee's personal history and character.
