Rep. Frank Wolf (R.-Va.), well known in Washington as a sharp, long-time critic of the PRC regime, fired off a letter to Akin Gump on July 13. The company had apparently made the mistake of sending Wolf a propaganda package on behalf of the Chinese firm??¢â???¬ ¦quot;a good indicator that whatever the PRC-controlled company is paying the lobbyists it may be too much.
??¢â???¬?????I must say in all candor that I was shocked that the packet arrived courtesy of Akin Gump??¢â???¬ ¦quot;one of Washington??¢â???¬â???¢s most distinguished and reputable lobbying and law firms,??¢â???¬ wrote Wolf. ??¢â???¬???????¢â???¬ ¦ [W]hen I noted that CNOOC was one of your newest clients, I immediately thought, ??¢â???¬????Is there no bright line to separate who the lobbyists in Washington will or will not represent???¢â???¬â???¢ ??¢â???¬ ¦ Ultimately, I question the appropriateness of an American firm??¢â???¬â???¢s advising and being on the payroll of the Chinese government.??¢â???¬
