From Dakar to Beijing: How Epstein Triangulated Wade into China

Six months after Sultan Bin Sulayem made the introduction, Karim Wade was no longer just an Epstein contact. He was an asset being routed into a second network entirely.

April 26, 2011. Epstein sent a one-line email to both men: "desmond ,meet karem, karem, desmond" (EFTA02538527-0). Desmond Shum was based in Beijing. Shum replied within hours: "I am happy to fly down to see you in SH" (EFTA01865779-0). He was offering to fly to Shanghai to meet Wade.

Ten days later Epstein himself was heading to Beijing: "arriving in Beijing monday morning and will stay till following friday then back through Paris" (EFTA01809435-0). The same email forwarded Shum's mobile number directly to Wade. The Africa introduction had become a China introduction.

What exactly was being discussed isn't spelled out in the Beijing emails. Epstein had been pitching Wade on financial infrastructure for Senegal since their first meeting in November 2010. Shum had connections in Beijing. Wade had political access in Dakar. Epstein was in the middle, connecting both.

What came of the meeting isn't in the archive.