The Threat of Transnational Repression from China and the U.S. Response

The Chinese Communist Party and government engage in transnational repression against Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, dissidents, and others in order to silence criticism, conduct surveillance, and in some cases repatriate critics and others deemed sensitive. Freedom House characterizes China’s campaign of transnational repression as “the most sophisticated, global, and comprehensive . . . in the world.” The Party and government use a variety of methods to engage in transnational repression, including the use of technology to surveil and harass victims abroad, threats to a victim’s family or loved ones who still live in China, abuse of INTERPOL mechanisms to secure repatriations, and in-person intimidation and kidnapping overseas.

This hearing will look at the administration’s approach to countering China’s transnational repression. The hearing will solicit administration witnesses’ input regarding what steps their agencies have taken to counter China’s transnational repression, how their agencies coordinate with interagency and international partners on the issue, and where they see opportunities for further action.

The hearing can be viewed via the CECC’s YouTube Channel.  

Hearing Transcript (PDF)