The Select: Weekly Updates from the Congressional Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party
Welcome to The Select, a weekly newsletter dedicated to the activities and findings of the Congressional Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI). This newsletter aims to keep you informed about the committee’s ongoing investigations, discussions, and legislative efforts regarding the implications of the CCP’s actions on U.S. national security and economic interests. Below are the key updates from this week.
Uncovering the Impact of U.S. Research Funding on Chinese Military Advancements
In a significant revelation reported by the New York Times, Chairman Moolenaar and Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) have uncovered that hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. federal research funding over the past decade have inadvertently contributed to China’s technological advancements and military modernization. Their year-long investigation revealed that nearly 9,000 joint research publications, funded by the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, involved American researchers collaborating with their Chinese counterparts on strategic technology research.
The findings highlight that these collaborations have focused on critical areas such as high-performance explosives, drone operation networks, nuclear physics, artificial intelligence, and hypersonics—technologies that could potentially be weaponized against U.S. military forces in the event of a conflict. The implications of this research are profound, as they suggest that American taxpayer dollars may be facilitating advancements in technologies that threaten U.S. security.
Case Studies Illustrating the Transfer of Knowledge
The committee’s report includes six case studies from prominent research institutions, including UCLA and UC Berkeley, demonstrating how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) benefits from U.S. technological expertise. These studies reveal that researchers who received federal funding have contributed to advancements in fourth-generation nuclear weapons technology, advanced lasers, and robotics, effectively bolstering the PRC’s defense capabilities.
Moreover, the report highlights the role of U.S.-Chinese joint education institutes, such as UC Berkeley’s partnership with Tsinghua University, in transferring critical technologies and expertise to China. This transfer of knowledge raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of U.S. research in support of the CCP’s military objectives and human rights abuses.
Bipartisan Discussions on National Security Risks
On Wednesday, Chairman Moolenaar and Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi participated in a bipartisan discussion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) focused on the risks posed by certain Chinese companies to U.S. national security. The panel, moderated by AEI Senior Fellow Marc Thiessen, examined how these companies could disrupt supply chains and steal American intellectual property.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Moolenaar emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring Chinese companies operating within the U.S. and the potential threats they pose to national security.
Legislative Efforts to Combat Trade Crimes
This week, the House Judiciary Committee passed the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act with unanimous support. Introduced by Chairman Moolenaar, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the legislation aims to combat fraud, duty evasion, and transshipment frequently committed by Chinese companies.
The act directs the Department of Justice to establish a dedicated structure for prosecuting international trade crimes, enhancing U.S. capabilities to detect and investigate trade-related offenses.
Addressing Cybersecurity Threats
In response to the growing cybersecurity threats posed by the CCP, Chairman Moolenaar and Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act. This legislation aims to establish an interagency task force led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to address malicious cyber activities associated with the PRC.
The task force will provide annual classified reports to Congress on its findings and recommendations, ensuring that lawmakers remain informed about the evolving cyber threat landscape.
Concerns Over Chinese Technology in Local Government
In a letter to the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, VA, Chairman Moolenaar and Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi expressed concerns about the county’s use of Chinese-made DJI drones. Given DJI’s connections to the Chinese military and its potential for espionage, the lawmakers highlighted the risks associated with using such technology in proximity to sensitive national security sites.
Conclusion
The work of the Congressional Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party is crucial in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by the CCP to U.S. national security and economic interests. Through rigorous investigations, bipartisan discussions, and legislative initiatives, the committee aims to safeguard American interests and ensure that taxpayer dollars do not inadvertently support adversarial advancements.
Stay tuned for next week’s updates as we continue to monitor the committee’s efforts and the evolving landscape of U.S.-China relations.