The US House of Representatives’ select committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has declared this week ‘China Week,’ a concentrated effort to pass legislation targeting China across various issues. This ambitious initiative includes a staggering 28 bills, aiming to confront China’s growing economic and military power. The legislation covers a broad spectrum of concerns, ranging from trade disputes and electric vehicles to farm ownership and even genetic data protection. The ultimate goal seems to be arming the winner of the upcoming November 5 presidential election with tools to outmaneuver China in the ongoing global power struggle.
The Chinese government has voiced its disapproval of this legislative push. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US, has been quoted in American media stating that the bills, if enacted, would severely disrupt US-China relations and ultimately harm American interests. This escalation of tensions is rooted in the escalating geopolitical rivalry between the US and China, manifesting in various theaters like the Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis, South China Sea disputes, and a series of trade and tariff wars.
The seeds of ‘China Week’ were sown back in July when House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, revealed at a Hudson Institute event in Washington that he was working on a comprehensive package of China-related legislation. Johnson stressed the importance of enacting this legislation before the year’s end, stating, “We’ll build our sanctions package, punish the Chinese military firms that provide material support to Russia and Iran, and we’ll consider options to restrict outbound investments.”
The centerpiece of this legislative barrage is the BIOSECURE bill, aimed at safeguarding American genetic data and protecting US companies from “predatory CCP-backed biotechnology companies.” The bill specifically targets Chinese military company BGI Genomics and CCP-aligned biotechnology firms Wuxi AppTec and Wuxi Biologics, labeling them as foreign adversary biotechnology companies, making them ineligible for certain federal contracts.
Other notable bills include:
* The
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
, which empowers the US president to shut down Hong Kong’s de facto consulates in the United States if the administration deems the region to be lacking autonomy and subservient to China.* The
Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act
, which proposes establishing a dedicated unit within the Department of Justice’s national security division focused exclusively on China.* The
End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act
, seeking to prevent electric cars containing Chinese-made components, particularly batteries, from qualifying for tax credits announced by the Biden administration earlier this year.Additional bills under consideration include the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, the Countering CCP Drones Act, the Chinese Currency Accountability Act, the No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act, the Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act, the Economic Espionage Prevention Act, and the No Foreign Election Interference Act.
The US Congress, particularly concerned about the “military, economic, ideological, and technological threats” posed by the Chinese Communist Party, is increasingly wary of Chinese companies like Shein and Temu. These fashion retailers are accused of exploiting loopholes in US laws to ship clothing manufactured in ‘forced-labor factories’ that utilize vulnerable groups, including Uyghur Muslims.
Despite the escalating tensions and the growing sentiment for confrontation among American politicians, there are signs of a potential thaw in relations. Military leaders from both countries have engaged in discussions, and high-profile delegations are working towards a possible Biden-Xi Jinping meeting later this year.
While the passage of these bills through the House of Representatives appears likely, their future in the Senate remains uncertain. With only two weeks left before the congressional recess on September 30, the Senate faces a tight deadline to review and approve the legislation. Traditionally considered a slow-moving chamber, the Senate could potentially delay the process, hindering the legislation’s progress.
Even if both chambers approve the bills, President Biden holds the ultimate power to sign them into law or veto them. If he chooses to veto the legislation, Congress would require a two-thirds majority vote in both houses to override his decision. The ‘China Week’ initiative represents a significant step in the escalating US-China rivalry, with the outcome likely to shape the future of global power dynamics.
