Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have reached out to Italy regarding a Chinese dissident, Li Yang. The two lawmakers sent a letter to Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, urging increased protection for Li, who has gained recognition for his uncensored reporting during China's White Paper protests and COVID lockdowns.

The letter details various threats and harassment Li has faced due to his growing influence. "As Li’s influence expanded, he became a target of severe harassment," Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi wrote. They mentioned death threats, smear campaigns, frozen financial accounts in China, and intense scrutiny on his family by Chinese authorities.

They emphasized that such actions violate national sovereignty and threaten human rights. "These actions represent a clear violation of the sovereignty of every country in which they are employed and pose a grave threat to the human rights and personal freedoms both our countries so greatly value," they stated.

The lawmakers urged Italy to take immediate steps to protect Li Ying from transnational repression. "Together, we must ensure that free countries remain a haven for the persecuted," they added.

Additionally, they noted suspicious activities targeting Li, including graffiti painted on his door with threatening language.