U.S. Rep. Dr. Mark Green (R-TN-07) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) on Thursday introduced the bipartisan China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 in the U.S. House. The bill would stop the Chinese military’s acquisition of sensitive American technology and formally admonish China for its predatory trade practices.
Green tweeted, “I am proud to work on this bipartisan, bicameral bill with @RepCuellar and @SenHawleyPress to stop the Chinese military’s acquisition of sensitive American technology and formally admonish #China for its predatory trade practices.”
I am proud to work on this bipartisan, bicameral bill with @RepCuellar and @SenHawleyPress to stop the Chinese military’s acquisition of sensitive American technology and formally admonish #China for its predatory trade practices. https://t.co/iX7WxpkYIH
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) June 27, 2019
In recent years, China has aggressively advanced its military capabilities through IP theft and exploitation of loopholes, Green said in a press release. The Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community have anxiously warned of China’s dangerous investments in U.S. firms working on facial-recognition, 3-D printing, virtual reality and autonomous vehicles to build up their warfighting capabilities.
They have pushed U.S. companies into “pay-to-play” to operate in their country, requiring that they help their surveillance state and military or not participate in their market at all. Also, they have exploited loopholes in U.S. law to pay to use technology, such as U.S.-owned satellites, for attacking the human rights of minorities in China, such as the Chinese Muslim population, and to threaten their neighbors and the United States.
“Why should we continue to let China steal American intellectual property, only for them to turn around and use it to undermine our national security, threaten peaceful neighbors, and oppress their own people?” Green said. “CNN reported China’s IP theft has cost U.S. companies 225-600 billion dollars. That is unacceptable. I am glad to introduce this bipartisan bill with Congressman Henry Cuellar.”
Cuellar said, “China is aggressively stealing technology from the United States and foreign militaries to advance and modernize its military. This legislation will take the first step in stopping the theft of U.S. technology by China, and help secure the U.S. global military advantage. For the safety and security of our country, we must end China’s ability to use cyber theft and other methods to advance its military power. Congress must act now to thwart these unfair trade practices. I want to thank Congressman Mark Green for working with me on this important legislation.”
This bill is the House companion version to legislation introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who said, “American companies should not be providing support to the oppressive Chinese government or its military. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens when China forces American companies to give its government access to advanced, dual-use technologies as a precondition for entering the Chinese market. This legislation takes important steps to end China’s exploitation of sensitive American technology. I’m proud to have Congressman Green’s support on this companion legislation in the House of Representatives.”
Hawley also recently introduced legislation that would require research students from China and elsewhere to undergo screening before they wish to participate in sensitive national security-focused projects, The Tennessee Star reported.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Mark Green” by Mark Green. Background Photo “China Military” by August. CC BY-SA 2.0.
