Sec. 2. Findings

490 words·~2 min read·/bill/116/s/4629/is/section-2

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Congress makes the following findings: The United States and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979, and both countries can benefit from constructive diplomatic ties and regular dialogue. The strategic competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China will shape the future of the 21st century, and the United States must accordingly reinvigorate its domestic industries and invest in research and development, entrepreneurs, domestic manufacturing, and the skills, education, and success of a diverse and inclusive workforce, while also ensuring that American soft and hard power remain unparalleled on the world stage.

United States policy towards the People’s Republic of China is part of a broader approach to the Indo-Pacific and the world which aspires to work with our allies and partners to advance shared values and interests by preserving and enhancing a free, open, democratic inclusive, rules-based, stable, and diverse region. The United States does not seek to determine a particular state for the People’s Republic of China or contain the People’s Republic of China’s legitimate development or the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese people; nor do we wish to disengage from the People’s Republic of China or its people.

The Government of China has made and continues to make decisions that fundamentally challenge United States national interests, regional peace and stability, and international security, including on vital strategic, economic, and diplomatic matters, human rights, and the rule of law. The malign activities of the Government of China related to predatory trade practices, economic espionage, regional aggression, and disrespect for human rights, democratic norms, and international law inhibits diplomatic, economic, and security relations with the United States.

United States-China trade and economic relations have expanded significantly over the past three decades. Yet the People’s Republic of China’s commitments on trade issues, including technology transfers, intellectual property rights, and subsidies of domestic industries, have fallen short, requiring a rebalancing of trade and economic ties, the enforcement of existing rules and agreements, and the pursuit of future trade agreements that include rigorous verification and enforcement mechanisms.

In recent years, United States-China military exchanges, with a goal of achieving greater transparency, mutual understanding, and confidence, have included high-level visits and recurrent exchanges between civilian and military officials. The United States remains committed to military-military engagement that would help to prevent miscalculation and miscommunication. The authoritarianism of the Government of China has deepened under General Secretary Xi Jinping, including a decision to remove presidential term limits and new and repressive policies in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, a new governance model embracing digital authoritarianism, and steps to severely repress and crush China’s civil society.

The United States and the People’s Republic of China are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and have opportunities to cooperate where shared interests align on areas of mutual concern, including mitigating the effects of climate change, building a strong global economy, and ensuring regional peace and security.