Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated since the epidemic.
Washington:
A group of 14 American lawmakers have presented a bill to Congress that calls on the government to identify, analyze and combat the alleged efforts by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for nationalist ends.
Introduced by Congressman Jared Golden and co-sponsored by 13 other members of Congress, the “ Law Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 ” would task the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to investigate the ways in which the Government intends to seize the COVID-19 pandemic to promote its national interests and assess the risks to the United States.
It also requests the DNI to provide policy makers with the information they need to address and counter Chinese actions, if necessary, and report its findings to Congress.
“Since the start of COVID-19, there is evidence that China is at work using the pandemic crisis against the Americans through cyber theft and the spread of disinformation,” said Golden.
“We must fully understand and respond to these threats. We are introducing the ” Law Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 ” to collect and analyze the important information our country needs to protect the people and businesses of the United States”, said Golden.
The bill requires the DNI – in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, State and Homeland Security – to prepare an assessment of the various ways in which the Chinese government has exploited or could exploit the pandemic, which originated in China, to advance the interests of China and undermine the interests of the United States, its allies, and the rules-based international order.
The assessment must be provided to Congress within 90 days and posted in unclassified form on the DNI website.
“As we fight to save American lives and rebuild our economy, no country should be allowed to exploit the pandemic for its own benefit, but reports indicate that China has done just that,” said congressman. Torres Small, co-sponsor of the bill. .
“This is the time when countries should come together to fight the spread of COVID-19, without exploiting supply chain failures or the shortage of essential equipment such as masks, gloves and gowns to promote their own national security interests unacceptable, and the United States must be able to hold China accountable if it continues, “he said.
Among other things, the law requires the DNI to investigate, analyze and report on techniques used by the Chinese government to hinder or respond to nations that have requested a full investigation into China’s role in the emergence and spread of COVID. -19, and The motivations of the Chinese government for such efforts.
He is seeking to investigate activities undertaken by the Chinese government, such as cyber theft, to acquire information and intellectual property related to COVID-19 tests, treatment and vaccines.
The bill also calls on the DNI to probe how the Chinese government seeks to advance its foreign policy interests by providing economic aid or medical supplies to countries affected by COVID-19, and the extent to which this aid makes the beneficiary countries more likely to adopt positions favorable to China and detrimental to the United States.
The ways in which the Chinese government uses or plans to use the global disturbance and distraction associated with COVID-19 as an opportunity to more aggressively pursue long-standing goals, including with respect to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang and another issue highlighted by members of Congress.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated since the emergence of the new coronavirus. President Donald Trump has questioned the Asian giant’s release of COVID-19.
The two countries also argued over China’s imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong, restrictions on American journalists, treatment of Uighur Muslims and security measures in Tibet.
