(NewsNation) — Political commentator Bill O’Reilly said Chinese espionage in the United States increased by approximately 1,000% during the Biden administration, citing evidence including Chinese property purchases, spy balloons and recent arrests of individuals involved in suspicious activities.

O’Reilly said Wednesday on NewsNation’s “CUOMO” that he had spoken with President Donald Trump and found him “very optimistic about the trade with China improving dramatically,” though O’Reilly expressed neutrality on the prospects for improved relations.

O’Reilly said he recently traveled to Beijing at Chinese officials’ invitation, paying his own way to advance potential U.S.-China cooperation. He said FBI Director Kash Patel has been quietly tasked with monitoring the growing espionage threat from China.

His comments come as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is pushing to investigate possible foreign influence behind U.S. protests. Luna announced a formal document request to Shanghai-based billionaire Neville Singham, who she claims is tied to the Chinese Communist Party and funding anti-ICE and anti-Israel demonstrations. If Singham refuses to comply, Luna says she’ll refer him to the DOJ for prosecution.

O’Reilly said the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, which he characterized as “militant far left,” received $34 million from California in 2023 and coordinated with unions to plan the demonstrations.

O’Reilly said the group has ties to George Soros’ Open Society Foundation and received $200,000 from the Biden administration. He claimed California taxpayers effectively funded protests.

Regarding Middle East tensions, O’Reilly said Trump does not want to participate in bombing Iran because it would disrupt potential China negotiations, Ukraine policy and the global economy. 

But he predicted weekend negotiations between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian leaders represent “the last chance” for a diplomatic solution.