China's repression threatens US democracy and global freedoms
September 12, 2024 | Foreign Relations: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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In a recent government meeting, experts highlighted the escalating threat posed by China's authoritarian regime to American democracy and global security. The discussions underscored the urgent need for the United States to support the Chinese people's struggle for democracy, particularly as Freedom House reports a troubling 18-year decline in global rights and freedoms, exacerbated by China's increasing repression under President Xi Jinping.
The meeting revealed that China's civil society has been severely weakened, with many human rights activists imprisoned on dubious national security charges. The panelists emphasized the importance of U.S. support for these activists, who have made significant sacrifices in their fight against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP's influence extends beyond its borders, employing sophisticated tactics of transnational repression that include harassment, intimidation, and cyber attacks against dissidents, even on U.S. soil.
Participants noted alarming incidents, such as pro-Beijing demonstrations in San Francisco that targeted Hong Kong and Tibetan activists, and reports of intimidation faced by Chinese students on American campuses. The meeting called for a robust U.S. response to these challenges, including targeted sanctions against Chinese tech companies involved in human rights abuses and legislative measures to protect activists.
The panel urged Congress to maintain public attention on political prisoners in China and Hong Kong, advocating for their immediate release and support for their families. They also recommended establishing a visa category for at-risk human rights defenders and enhancing training for officials to combat transnational repression.
The discussions concluded with a reminder of the recent protests in China, which marked one of the most significant challenges to the CCP since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. As geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing rise, the panelists stressed the importance of not losing sight of the Chinese people's aspirations for freedom, urging the U.S. to support these efforts at every opportunity.
The meeting revealed that China's civil society has been severely weakened, with many human rights activists imprisoned on dubious national security charges. The panelists emphasized the importance of U.S. support for these activists, who have made significant sacrifices in their fight against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP's influence extends beyond its borders, employing sophisticated tactics of transnational repression that include harassment, intimidation, and cyber attacks against dissidents, even on U.S. soil.
Participants noted alarming incidents, such as pro-Beijing demonstrations in San Francisco that targeted Hong Kong and Tibetan activists, and reports of intimidation faced by Chinese students on American campuses. The meeting called for a robust U.S. response to these challenges, including targeted sanctions against Chinese tech companies involved in human rights abuses and legislative measures to protect activists.
The panel urged Congress to maintain public attention on political prisoners in China and Hong Kong, advocating for their immediate release and support for their families. They also recommended establishing a visa category for at-risk human rights defenders and enhancing training for officials to combat transnational repression.
The discussions concluded with a reminder of the recent protests in China, which marked one of the most significant challenges to the CCP since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. As geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing rise, the panelists stressed the importance of not losing sight of the Chinese people's aspirations for freedom, urging the U.S. to support these efforts at every opportunity.
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