It was "tough on China" week in Congress, marking one of the rare issues that both parties agree on.





BEIJING — As House lawmakers reconvened this week, they aimed to position themselves as strong opponents of China, introducing over two dozen measures targeting Beijing’s technological, political, and economic influence.

The “China Week” initiative, featuring 28 bills primarily led by Republicans, has faced criticism from Democrats who argue that it is a tactic to bolster the GOP’s stance on China ahead of the November election. Nonetheless, many of the bills received bipartisan support, reflecting a rare consensus among both parties that views China as a major geopolitical rival.

Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted, “Members now see little downside risk in adopting a tougher stance on China.”

China has warned that the new legislation could damage the critical bilateral relationship between the two nations, even as efforts are made to improve relations. Beijing has promised to respond with “strong and effective measures.”

All legislation must also be approved by the Senate before it can be sent to President Joe Biden for signing into law.

Given the limited number of days the Senate will be in session for the remainder of the year, it is uncertain how many of these measures will advance. However, their success in the House could set the stage for more robust regulatory actions in the next Congress, according to Singleton.


Biotech Companies

One of the initial bills to pass, the Biosecure Act, would bar federal contracts with several Chinese biotech companies and their business partners. Supporters argue that the measure is crucial for protecting Americans' genetic and health data from potential misuse by Beijing.

The Chinese companies involved, which engage in cancer research and supply manufacturing services to American drugmakers, counter that data privacy is not at risk and that the bill could stifle competition.

BGI Group, based in Shenzhen, expressed disappointment, stating, “We are dismayed that the U.S. legislative process is being used to unfairly favor certain companies.”

WuXi AppTec, another targeted company, voiced concern about the bill's potential impact, saying it could harm U.S. leadership in biotechnology innovation, drug development, and patient care.

Hong Kong

Lawmakers passed a bill that could lead to the closure of Hong Kong’s economic and trade offices in Washington, New York, and San Francisco if they are found not to operate with a “high degree of autonomy” from China. This move comes in response to the Chinese territory’s crackdown on dissent since mass anti-government protests in 2019, following its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” principle.

The Hong Kong government criticized the bill as politically motivated, arguing that the trade offices' normal operations benefit both parties and that their closure would ultimately harm U.S. interests. The Chinese Foreign Ministry added that Beijing had issued “stern representations” to the U.S. regarding the matter.



Drones

A new bill proposes banning the operation of new drones from the Chinese manufacturer DJI on U.S. communications infrastructure, citing national security concerns that DJI has denied.

DJI, which holds a majority share of the U.S. drone market, criticized the bill in May, accusing lawmakers of fostering xenophobic attitudes to benefit local drone manufacturers and eliminate market competition. The company warned that the ban would negatively impact not only American hobbyists but also a wide range of operators, businesses, and public safety agencies.

China has urged the U.S. to “stop suppressing Chinese companies under various pretexts.”

A New ‘China Initiative’

There was significant debate over a proposal to revive the Justice Department’s “China Initiative,” a national security program from the Trump era designed to address intellectual property theft at universities and research institutions. Critics, including Asian American advocacy groups, argued that the program unfairly targeted ethnic Chinese scientists and caused significant personal and professional disruption, leading to its termination in 2022 after a series of failed prosecutions.

The measure passed in the House with a vote of 237-180.

Foreign Farmland Purchases

Another bill, raising concerns about discrimination, seeks to restrict the sale of agricultural land to foreign nationals from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Supporters argue it will enhance oversight of foreign land acquisitions, particularly near sensitive locations.

NBC News found that Chinese ownership of U.S. agricultural land amounts to less than 0.03% of the total.


Electric Vehicles

Lawmakers narrowly approved a measure that would tighten the criteria for Chinese components that disqualify electric vehicles from receiving U.S. tax credits. Critics argue that this could hinder efforts to increase EV adoption and support the broader transition to green technology.

Despite China's leading role in electric vehicle manufacturing and its dominance in the EV battery supply chain, very few Chinese EVs are sold in the U.S. In May, President Biden announced an increase in tariffs on Chinese EVs from 27.5% to 100%.

Scientific Cooperation

A bill was passed requiring congressional notification before renewing or extending the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) or any similar agreements with China.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., stated after the bill’s passage, “For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has exploited these partnerships to gain access to sensitive technologies that could threaten our national security.”

The STA, which was the first agreement between the U.S. and China following the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1979, expired on August 27 after two six-month extensions. Supporters warn that the expiration of the pact could impede academic collaboration and affect U.S.-China cooperation on issues like climate change and public health.