By U.S. Representative Kay Granger
The Hill
October 2, 2020 4:30PM CST
This is the fourth and final op-ed in a series focusing on the threats China poses to the United States.
Over 200 years ago, Napoleon Bonaparte warned European nations to “Let China Sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” Though many experts throughout the years questioned China’s ability to industrialize, grow its middle class, and expand its global influence, it cannot be denied that China has reached superpower status today.
Some would ask how this impacts the American people and why it matters--after all, there have been other global superpowers that have existed alongside the United States. From the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries to the Soviet Union in the 20th century, America's strength has endured and safeguarded democracy for generations.
However, the Chinese Community Party (CCP) represents a type of threat different from what America has ever faced before.
Rather than overtly challenging America and our allies, Beijing is using deceptive trading practices, debt trap diplomacy, and bully tactics to expand its global reach. The CCP is coercing developing countries on every continent into cultivating a dependency on China that they cannot escape.
The truth of the matter is this: America built a global system of governance and a rules-based order that upholds democracy, advances human rights, and improves health outcomes in the developing world.
Having served for many years as the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees all foreign assistance, I assure you that when America makes critical investments in the developing world, we do so motivated by wanting to help these nations and see their people survive and thrive. This prevents extremist organizations from gaining a foothold, grows economies for the working class, and makes our world a more peaceful, prosperous place.
The CCP, on the other hand, enters these countries with vast amounts of capital and deceptive agreements. They hold no commitment to the principles of human rights or freedom. They are in it to advance their influence, slowly but surely, and push out America and our allies. I encourage you to look at a recent report from the Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee titled, “China Regional Snapshot: Exposing the CCP’s Global Malign Influence.” In this, there are myriad examples of how the CCP is slowly gaining control over critical infrastructure in every region of the world.
Many in Congress are acting on these threats. Earlier in this op-ed series, I explained how Congress has taken important steps to protect our medical supply chain, retain our edge in technology advancement, and modernize our military to deter China.
This week, the China Task Force, led by my friend and fellow Texan Rep. Michael McCaul, released its final report after months of investigating all aspects of Chinese influence. This report includes over 400 recommendations that Congress and the Administration can act on to protect America’s place in the world for decades to come. This report reflects a thorough, serious study of these issues, and we should act on these as quickly as possible.
Regardless of who wins the election in November, all Americans should understand how critical it is that we respond to the China threat with one voice. We must stand up to the CCP to protect developing nations from falling into debt traps, ensure international organizations uphold global rules and standards for all countries, and advance freedom and democracy for all.