US House Approves Bills To Counter China's Influence

In this file photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, staff members work in an inflatable COVID-19 testing lab provided by Chinese biotech company BGI Genomics, a subsidiary of BGI Group,

This week, the U.S. House passed a comprehensive set of bills aimed at countering China's influence, highlighting a bipartisan effort to ensure America's competitive edge in the global arena. The measures encompass a range of strategies, including banning Chinese-made drones, restricting access to the U.S. market for China-linked biotech companies, imposing stronger sanctions, and enhancing relationships with Asian nations.

Key Focus Areas of the Legislation:

Technology:

The bills primarily target technology, with a focus on limiting the proliferation of Chinese technology in the U.S. and safeguarding American innovations from Beijing's reach. The House approved measures to prevent federal funding to biotech companies with Chinese ties, ban devices from Chinese drone maker DJI on national security grounds, and close a loophole in export controls to prevent Chinese access to advanced U.S. technology.

Spying at Schools:

A contentious bill seeks to combat Beijing's espionage in American universities and research institutions, reviving the China Initiative program. The legislation aims to curb spying on U.S. intellectual property and academic entities, although it has sparked debates over racial profiling and discrimination concerns.

Farmland and Electric Cars:

Focus on limiting Chinese technology proliferation and safeguarding American innovations.

Comprehensive bills passed by U.S. House to counter China's influence.

Bills target spying in American universities and research institutions by Beijing.

Legislation addresses land sales, federal funding restrictions, and clean-vehicle tax credits.

Legislation addressing land sales involving citizens from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran was passed, along with measures to restrict federal funding to universities with ties to Chinese government-funded cultural institutes. Additionally, a bill excluding Chinese electric cars from clean-vehicle tax credits was narrowly approved.

Diplomacy:

The House also supported measures to enhance sanctions on China and strengthen ties with Asia-Pacific countries. These efforts include potential closures of Hong Kong's representative offices in the U.S., targeting Chinese officials' financial assets in response to aggression toward Taiwan, and recognizing the importance of cooperation with South Korea and Japan to counter Beijing's military influence.

The legislation underscores a united front in addressing China's growing power, with both bipartisan support and partisan disagreements shaping the multifaceted approach to safeguarding U.S. interests in the face of global competition.