This evening, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) as Ranking Member, held a hearing titled "CCP Transnational Repression: The Party's Effort to Silence and Coerce Critics Overseas". The purpose of the hearing was to shed light on the CCP's intimidation tactics and their impact on individuals and societies worldwide.
During the hearing, harrowing firsthand stories of CCP's intimidation tactics were shared by Ms. Anna Kwok, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, and Mr. Jinrui Zhang, a law student at Georgetown University Law Center. They recounted their experiences and the constant fear they live in due to the CCP's relentless pursuit of silencing dissent.
Ms. Kwok, speaking about her situation in the United States, said, "Even though I'm in the land of the free, I am not free. I am trapped in this constant fear of being hunted. And this is the CCP's goal - they want to cripple me and cripple my ability to advocate for Hong Kong."
Mr. Zhang highlighted the global reach of the CCP's influence, stating, "No matter where in the world you are, even in the most mature democracies with the longest tradition of civil liberties, you're never free as long as anyone or anything you care about is under the control of the CCP."
These testimonies shed light on the pervasive and far-reaching impact of the CCP's transnational repression efforts. They illustrate the chilling effect it has on individuals and their ability to freely express their opinions and advocate for their causes.
Dr. Sophie Richardson, an expert on human rights in China, also provided testimony during the hearing. Dr. Richardson emphasized the need for stronger action from democratic governments in challenging the Chinese government's human rights record. She stated, "In my view, no U.S. administration, and no administration in any democracy, has devoted sufficient resources to challenging the Chinese government over its appalling human rights record."
The hearing also featured remarks from Chairman Gallagher and Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. Chairman Gallagher highlighted the seriousness of the issue, stating, "We've seen American citizens hunted down by foreign agents on the streets of American cities. The FBI calls this transnational repression." Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of not allowing fear to silence activists, saying, "We've seen the headlines about activists being harassed, but a story is not written every time an activist stays silent out of fear. Every time that happens, the CCP wins, and the Chinese people lose."
The hearing served as a platform for these individuals to share their experiences and raise awareness about the CCP's transnational repression tactics. It highlighted the urgent need for democratic governments to address this issue and protect the rights and freedoms of individuals worldwide.
As Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) questioned the effectiveness of inviting President Xi to the United States, she expressed the need for practical and effective measures in dealing with the CCP's actions. She remarked, "After the private meeting with President Biden, what did we get out of it? Maybe we'll bring a panda back to the United States? We really have to be practical."
The hearing provided a forum for these important voices to be heard and for the international community to recognize the gravity of the CCP's transnational repression. It is crucial that democratic governments and societies come together to address this issue and ensure the protection of human rights and freedom of expression.
Click this link to access more information: https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-releases/media-package-select-committee-ccp-holds-hearing-ccp-transnational-repression
