The White House has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to entities with ties to China. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stated that it has given $600 million to 12 “domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers” to produce 200 million tests. However, more than half of the funding has gone to companies with connections to China.
For example, iHealth, the winner of the largest award with a $167 million contract, is a California subsidiary of Andon, a Chinese medical electronic devices supplier. Andon’s Cayman Islands-based iHealth Inc. is overseen by Xiaomi, a top Chinese smartphone maker. Another awardee, CorDx, is part of a biotech organization called CorDx Union, which has manufacturing facilities in China and Singapore and is ultimately part of the Beijing-based Beijing Entrepreneur Culture Group.
Some Chinese media reports suggest that Maxim Biomedical is under the control of a Chinese figure named Mr. Li. San Diego drug test manufacturer Advin Biotech was acquired by Biotest from China, and Azure Biotech in Houston has a significant Chinese connection.
These connections have raised concerns among some lawmakers. Senator Joni Ernst called the ties to Chinese companies “very concerning,” while Senator Roger Marshall described the funding as a “waste of taxpayer money.” The HHS and White House did not respond to inquiries regarding the funding.
The Epoch Times reached out to the companies mentioned for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.