Dutch Political Party NL Plan Allegedly Financed by Chinese Communist Party

NL Plan, a relatively new Dutch political party, is facing allegations of receiving indirect financing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). An investigation by RTL Nieuws and Follow The Money has revealed that the party, which is participating in the 2024 European Parliament elections, has received donations from organizations affiliated with the CCP.

The investigation found that NL Plan received political donations from Chinese-Dutch groups with ties to the CCP, including an organization directly affiliated with the CCP. Two candidates listed by NL Plan in the 2023 Dutch national election had leadership roles in these organizations and had frequent interactions with China's United Front department.

NL Plan was founded in December 2022 by Kok Kuen Chan, a 54-year-old Amsterdam native, and Ward van Riel, a software developer. Chan, who has a background in structural engineering, aims to empower the Asian community by participating in politics. The party's policy platform objects to a trade war with China and vows to support small businesses and self-employed people.

In Chinese language media, NL Plan's China policy appears friendlier. An article published in April by United Times, a Chinese language newspaper in the Netherlands, described NL Plan being the only Dutch party opposing the EU and Western world's suppression of China. The article stated, *'NL Plan is the only Dutch party opposing the EU and western world's suppression of China.'*

Why this matters: This matter has significant implications for the integrity of democratic elections and the potential for foreign interference in political processes. If left unchecked, it could undermine the independence and autonomy of political parties and compromise the democratic process.

Experts have raised concerns about the potential influence of the CCP on NL Plan and the broader implications for foreign electoral interference. They argue that the Netherlands should take measures to define and counter such interference to ensure the overseas Chinese diaspora can participate in free elections independently.

NL Plan's co-founder, Ward van Riel, is leaving the party after the European elections and has not spoken to Chan in weeks. Chan declined an interview request from Follow the Money and RTL News, saying he was surprised by the questions.

The case of NL Plan raises important questions about how to ensure that the overseas Chinese diaspora can participate in free elections independently without being exposed to the CCP's political interference. With the European elections approaching, the scrutiny on NL Plan's funding sources and political affiliations is likely to intensify.

Key Takeaways

• NL Plan, a Dutch political party, faces allegations of indirect financing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• The party received donations from Chinese-Dutch groups with ties to the CCP.
• Two NL Plan candidates had leadership roles in CCP-affiliated organizations and interacted with China's United Front department.
• NL Plan's China policy appears friendlier in Chinese language media, opposing EU and Western suppression of China.
• Experts raise concerns about CCP influence on NL Plan and foreign electoral interference in the Netherlands.