Hello, and welcome back. Today, we’re diving into some intriguing details about Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat hailing from Arizona. Before his political career, Kelly was an astronaut and co-founded a company specializing in spy balloons. This company, World View, received partial funding from a Chinese venture capitalist with close links to the Chinese Communist Party.
World View, based in Tucson, Arizona, was originally established in 2012, intending to provide space tourism using stratospheric balloons. However, as the technology evolved, so did the company’s vision. It now mainly offers remote sensing services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other scientific and commercial clients.
The company attracted some venture capital from Tencent, one of China’s largest corporations, in 2013 and 2016. Tencent, established in 1998, has accumulated substantial user data through its social media platform WeChat, making it a potent surveillance resource.
World View has emphasized that Tencent has “zero access, zero input, and zero control” over the business. When new leadership took over in 2019, they acted quickly to safeguard World View from any influence from Chinese investor representatives. However, the company’s early associations with Tencent could raise questions, particularly considering recent U.S.-China tensions.
In February 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down by a fighter jet off South Carolina’s coast, causing diplomatic tensions and concerns about Chinese spying efforts. Kelly, who departed World View in 2019 to start his Senate campaign, still has a financial interest in the company, secured in a blind trust.
So, what do these details mean for Kelly’s political future? It has been noted that he is on a shortlist of potential vice-presidential candidates considered by Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite his political success, the connection between World View and Tencent could pose challenges.
Kelly has stated he only had a “very brief conversation” with someone from Tencent. However, these early connections might face scrutiny as his political career continues.
And there you have it. High-altitude balloons, venture capital, and international politics all converge in this compelling narrative. Keep a lookout for more news about Senator Mark Kelly and his potential VP candidacy. Until next time, remain informed and engaged.
