The Pictures That Never Existed

Special to Channel613.com

The National Archives’ recent release of photographs from 2013 adds significant documentation to a complex narrative about presidential transparency and family business dealings. The images, which show then-Vice President Joe Biden meeting with Chinese business associates connected to his son Hunter’s ventures, raise important questions about public disclosure timing and official accounts of family business separation.

The newly released photographs document multiple significant encounters during a December 2013 Beijing trip:

• A meeting between then-Vice President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Hunter Biden was present
• Interactions with Jonathan Li, who became CEO of BHR Partners
• A documented greeting with Ming Xue, BHR’s managing director

The timing of these photographs’ release mirrors other historical cases of delayed document releases that had political implications. The Pentagon Papers case of 1971, the delayed release of JFK assassination records, and the gradual declassification of Watergate materials all demonstrate patterns where politically sensitive materials emerged after their peak relevance.

BHR Partners’ formation timeline adds context to these photographs. The company’s registration occurred 12 days after the Biden delegation’s Beijing visit, according to Wall Street Journal documentation. The firm later facilitated significant Chinese acquisitions, including a strategic 2016 purchase of Congolese cobalt mining operations from North American companies.

The photos emerged through America First Legal Foundation’s transparency lawsuit, highlighting the role of legal advocacy in public records access. This release pattern raises questions about the National Archives’ document release protocols and the influence of presidential review processes on timing.

The article can be enriched by examining other documented business connections and how they align with official statements, including:

• The documented college recommendation letters for Li’s children
• Hunter Biden’s documented 10% stake in BHR Partners
• The role of Kevin Morris in subsequent financial arrangements

This story connects to broader historical patterns of how business relationships intersect with public office, warranting examination of disclosure practices and transparency mechanisms in democratic institutions.