Barrasso questions State Department on U.S.-China relations, Huawei, China’s terrible human rights record and intellectual property theft.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun about U.S.-China relations, including China’s human rights abuses, Huawei’s infiltration of telecommunication networks, and ending intellectual property theft.
Biegun testified at today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on advancing effective U.S. competition with China.
On Holding China Accountable for Human Rights Violations:
“We have concerns about China and the cover-up and disinformation campaign on the coronavirus, destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy, unlawful military activities in the South China Sea, theft of American intellectual property, and the terrible human rights abuses that we continue to see today against Uighurs and minorities across the country.
“In terms of human rights, China is engaged in truly serious human rights abuses, including political and religious repression.
“These are attacks on human dignity and religious freedom. And as Americans, we cannot tolerate them.
“Recently, the administration has taken strong actions to sanction China for its human rights abuses. I strongly support the efforts of the administration.
“Are there ways that we can better increase our support for the rights and freedoms of the people of China, along the lines of democracy, opportunity, liberty, equality-the things that we hold dear?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Biegun on China’s Human Rights Abuses
On China Stealing Intellectual Property and Data:
“With regard to, moving to the next topic of stealing intellectual property, another one on the list that I’ve talked about.
“China continues to infiltrate top U.S. companies, laboratories, universities. Seems their goal is stealing valuable American intellectual property, trade secrets.
“The Chinese communist party clearly attempting to surpass us in economic strength, military capabilities, international influence. It’s their game plan.
“They’re funding criminal hackers to target U.S. research in sectors ranging from agriculture to COVID-19-related biomedical research.
“Just yesterday, yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice charged two Chinese nationals, working on behalf of the government of China, with stealing trade secrets, hacking computer systems of companies who are working on a coronavirus vaccine. Just yesterday.
“The FBI estimates that they open a new China-related counterintelligence case not every 10 weeks or 10 months or 10 days. Every 10 hours they are having to open a new China related counterintelligence case.
“The FBI Deputy Director believes China’s economic coercion is like that he described as ‘an organized criminal syndicate.’
“So what steps must we as a nation take along with our international partners, as you talked about an international group, what must we do to end China’s economic espionage?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Biegun on China Stealing Intellectual Property
On Huawei:
“My final question has to do with Huawei.
“The Trump administration continues to raise the alarms with our allies and partners about the national security risks of Huawei and the Chinese communist party.
“To me, Huawei is a Trojan horse.
“Its deep links to the communist regime are impossible to ignore.
“They’re attempting to infiltrate communications networks around the world and for no good.
“It poses a serious risk, I believe, not only to our national security but also to privacy, intellectual property and to human rights.
“Recently, the United Kingdom recognized the serious security threat and is taking action to ban Huawei from their 5G networks. It sounds like Germany is going to make a decision. All eyes are on Germany with regard to what they decide with regard to Huawei.
“Is it your impression we are making some headway? That our allies are understanding the dangers that are posed by having Huawei and ultimately China so involved in their telecommunications infrastructure?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Biegun on Huawei
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