Human Rights Violations in the U.S. and Globally
The PRC has escalated its use of covert, coercive, and extraterritorial tactics against Taiwan and its supporters, threatening the island’s democracy, creating skepticism and distrust in U.S.-Taiwan relations, and using intimidation, lawfare, and propaganda operations to shape global narratives on Taiwan’s status. This hearing will spotlight the Chinese Communist Party’s expanding campaign of political warfare and repression targeting Taiwan and the Taiwanese diaspora globally. Through expert testimony, the Commission will explore policy options to counter these malign activities, reinforce U.S.
Introduction
The August 2024 conviction of Taiwanese activist Yang Chih-yuan (楊智淵) on the charge of “separatism” not only demonstrates the extensive long-arm pretensions of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), but also the increasing dangers for any foreign citizen traveling to and within the PRC. Taiwan, which also is referred to as the Republic of China (ROC), is a state with existing juridical status predating the PRC.[1] The PRC, however, characterizes Taiwan as a part of China and has set out guidance, effective in June 2024, outlining punishment for offenders “committing or inciting separatism,” i.e., advocating for positions inconsistent with the PRC’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.
(Washington)—Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), held a hearing to explore efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to curtail historical inquiry into subjects deemed “sensitive,” such as the Tiananmen Massacre; control narratives regarding the history of the CCP; and erase the culture of repressed peoples, including Tibetans, Southern Mongolians, and Uyghurs.
September 19, 2024
(Washington)—Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), held a hearing to explore the cases of wrongfully detained Americans in China. The hearing, entitled “Bringing Home Americans Detained in China,” highlighted the fact that more Americans are detained in China than in any other country, and explored the diplomatic options available to gain the release of American prisoners such Kai Li, Nelson Wells, Jr., and Dawn Michelle Hunt, among many others.
(Washington)—Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission (CECC), released today a letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for additional investigation into the violence targeting groups protesting the human rights abuses by the People’s Republic of China during the APEC Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco. Following an investigation, the Chairs asked for a briefing on whether the violence was planned or instigated by “elements of the Chinese Communist Party or Chinese diplomats in the United States” and constitutes transnational repression.
(Washington, D.C.)— Members of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) will conduct a press conference with advocates for human rights in China, who will talk about the violence and harassment by pro-CCP groups during the APEC Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco. Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ), the CECC Chair, will be joined by Fengsuo Zhou of Human Rights in China, Anna Kwok of Hong Kong Democracy Council, Pema Doma of Students for a Free Tibet, Elfidar Iltebir of the Uyghur-American Association and other victims of violence and intimidation.
(Washington)--Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission (CECC), issued the following statement with regard to videos showing China human rights advocates being beaten by pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) counter-protestors during San Francisco’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit last week:
Child and forced labor taint the supply chain of cobalt, a metal that is a critical component in the lithium-ion batteries and other products important for modern technologies, including electric vehicles.
(Washington)—Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s announcement of the addition of three new PRC-based companies to the “Entity List” required by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and the Department of State’s announcement of the Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory Addendum.
Amidst its systemic attempt to rewrite global norms, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has engaged in a campaign of transnational repression to harass diaspora communities and regime critics living around the world, specifically targeting Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, and others from groups that have been suppressed domestically. PRC agents – including those linked to the Ministry of State Security and provincial police forces – have engaged in forced rendition of asylum seekers, street assaults, digital surveillance, online harassment, and the coercion and intimidation of the family and friends of dissidents and political prisoners in the United States and globally.