As a new committee holds its first hearing, the leading Democrat stated that they do not wish for a conflict between civilizations or a war within the People’s Republic of China.
During its inaugural primetime hearing, members of the newly established House committee cautioned that Congress must take immediate action to counter the economic and national security risks presented by China.
According to the Republican chairman, Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin, China and the US are engaged in a fundamental battle over the future of the 21st century.
At a critical moment in US-China relations, the House select committee on strategic competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party commenced operations with the presence of democracy advocates and protestors. Recent events such as a suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the US and Beijing’s potential provision of lethal weapons to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine highlight the precarious nature of the situation.
Tensions have escalated further due to China’s military buildup and aggressive behavior towards Taiwan, as well as its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
During a session lasting over three hours on Tuesday night, prominent witnesses and lawmakers discussed strategies for the United States to address China’s economic growth and increasing authoritarianism. The panel of experts, consisting of two former Trump officials, a human rights activist, and the president of a manufacturing group, faced questions from committee members on various topics including human rights, trade, TikTok, Taiwan, espionage, and Covid.
Gallagher’s aim is to influence China policy and legislation that can garner bipartisan support. However, with the 2024 presidential election approaching and Republicans keen on portraying Joe Biden as “soft on China,” it is becoming less probable that there will be bipartisan cooperation.
Gallagher emphasized that time is of the essence, urging Congress to address the China issue promptly. He further emphasized that the policies and actions taken in the next decade will have a significant impact on the next century.
Illinois’ ranking Democrat, Raja Krishnamoorthi, stated that both Democrats and Republicans have underestimated China for many years, assuming that economic integration would naturally lead to democracy. However, this has not been the case, and the United States must now take swift action to pursue policies that can improve its position.
The Congress members made it clear that they do not desire any form of conflict with the People’s Republic of China, be it a cold war, hot war, or a clash of civilizations. They emphasized that their concern was with the Chinese government rather than its people. The hearing was a unique occasion that demonstrated a rare sense of harmony within a divided Congress.
At the hearing, two ex-advisers to Donald Trump, HR McMaster, the former national security adviser, and Matt Pottinger, a China specialist who served as his deputy, made an appearance.
During the hearing, Pottinger presented an extensive analysis of China’s ascent, stating that the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to portray itself as “responsible” and “ordinary” was one of the remarkable feats of recent times. He compared the CCP to popular magicians such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, and Criss Angel, but added that their magic was beginning to wane.
McMaster commented that the West had engaged in years of “wishful thinking and self-deception” while attempting to incorporate China into the global system. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the committee could establish the foundation for “reconstructing America’s and the free world’s competitive edge.”
The committee assembled in the chamber that the House January 6 committee utilized for its hearings. Among those present were Hong Kong democracy advocates and anti-war demonstrators who disrupted the meeting, with one shouting “this committee is focused on saber-rattling, not peace” before being escorted out.
Several members observed the protest, emphasizing that the ability to protest was a fundamental aspect of American democracy that was not permitted in China.
During the committee’s session on Tuesday, Tong Yi, a human rights activist and former secretary to Wei Jingsheng, one of China’s most prominent dissidents, provided powerful testimony. Yi recounted her arrest and detention during the 1990s, spending nine months in a detention center, and ultimately receiving a two-and-a-half-year sentence in a labor camp on charges of “disturbing social order.”
“In the United States, we must acknowledge that we have played a role in nurturing the CCP’s growth from a small dragon to the powerful entity it is today,” she stated.
According to Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, the reliance on China has severely affected American workers. He argued that even though a conflict with China may not be inevitable, there will be intense economic competition. Measures to ban TikTok, which is owned by China, bills preventing Chinese companies and citizens from buying land near sensitive military sites, and efforts to restrict technology trade and exports have gained bipartisan consensus. However, there are also significant disagreements.
Biden’s response to the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon has been criticized by Republicans. When asked about the message China intended to send with the balloon, McMaster suggested that it was likely a metaphor for the extensive espionage efforts Beijing is conducting globally. China has refuted allegations that the balloon was used for spying and maintained that it was a civilian aircraft that was blown off course. The disclosure that the US energy department has determined with “low confidence” that the Covid-19 pandemic resulted from a lab leak in China has fueled partisan discussion. According to officials, US agencies are not in agreement about the source of Covid-19.
A hearing was held on Tuesday by the House foreign affairs committee, which aimed to address the challenges posed by Beijing. Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for east Asian and Pacific affairs, stated that China was the most significant geopolitical challenge faced by the US.
Some have expressed concerns that the select committee’s strong language, which portrays China as an adversary, could increase anti-Asian sentiment in the midst of a surge in hate incidents. In response, Krishnamoorthi stressed the importance of avoiding any anti-Chinese or Asian stereotyping.
According to him, it’s important to acknowledge that the CCP desires for us to be divided, biased, and politically polarized, as that aligns with their aspirations.
Gallagher wrapped up the session by likening its duration to that of a blockbuster movie, which was appropriate considering the story it told of “good guys and bad guys.”
He stated with certainty that America is the righteous side in his perspective.
