The fight against China’s growing influence is heating up. Last week, the US House of Representatives launched an unprecedented ‘China Week,’ passing 25 bills aimed at countering Chinese intrusions into America’s economy and technology. This ambitious effort, dubbed ‘China Week,’ targeted areas like drones, network routers, batteries, and biotech contracts, aiming to address the complex and multifaceted threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The House Select Committee on China, chaired by Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., likened the situation to battling a Hydra. Just as Hercules faced the multi-headed serpent, the US is grappling with a seemingly endless stream of Chinese influence, from cyberattacks and espionage to economic manipulation. Rep. Moolenaar declared, “This week, we will draw a line in the sand. With one voice, the U.S. Congress will tell Xi Jinping, this far, and no further.”
The bills passed during ‘China Week’ highlight the diverse ways in which the CCP has penetrated American life. The legislation covers a wide range of concerns, from banning new drones made by the Chinese company DJI, which is linked to the Chinese military, to addressing the vulnerability posed by cheap network routers made by Chinese companies. These routers, already purchased by government agencies like NASA and the Pentagon, can open the door for hacker attacks.
The ‘China Week’ effort also addresses the threat posed by Chinese-made seaport cranes, which have been found to contain suspicious communication devices. The Port Crane Security and Inspection Act aims to prevent the CCP from exploiting critical infrastructure for their global dominance.
Another key area of concern is China’s dominance in the battery market. The Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act seeks to address this issue, given the close ties between Chinese battery companies and forced labor practices.
Finally, ‘China Week’ tackled the issue of Chinese companies holding contracts with US biotech firms. The Biosecure Act targets five Chinese companies with American contracts and direct military ties, including BGI, Complete Genomics, MGI, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Biologics.
While the House Select Committee on China acknowledged the importance of these bills, they also emphasized that more needs to be done. Ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., stated that “China Week” didn’t go far enough and called for additional bills on fentanyl, critical minerals, and outbound investment controls.
The fight against the CCP is a long and complex one, but the US is determined to protect its interests. The ‘China Week’ legislation is a significant step towards securing American national security and economic independence.
However, experts warn that these measures alone are not enough. The US must continue to develop innovative solutions and strengthen its own capabilities to truly counter the hydra-like threat posed by China. Ultimately, the future of American leadership depends on its ability to overcome the challenges posed by the CCP and ensure a safe and prosperous world for all.
