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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.



ROGER WICKER: President Biden's "Thaw" Fails To Take China Seriously
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For years, the United States has recognized that China’s military aspirations
represent a clear threat to American interests. In response, we have reoriented
our national security strategy to address their escalating aggression. Yet even
as President Biden’s military leaders sound the alarm, his administration
pretends that reconciliation is possible. This May, the president predicted a
“thaw” between our two nations. His soft approach glosses over the increasingly
hostile actions Beijing has taken against the United States.


Biden Ignoring China's Aggression


While President Biden postures toward China, the Chinese Communist Party
becomes more comfortable challenging the United States. Late last month, a
pilot in the People’s Liberation Army flew a provocative maneuver close to a
United States Air Force plane. The move followed Chinese state media reports
showcasing a threatening mock military exercise – a simulation of the complete
destruction of the USS Gerald R. Ford, our newest aircraft carrier. Beijing is
also engaging in widespread cyberattacks. Microsoft announced that
Chinese-backed hackers cracked, and may still have access to, computer systems
in Guam, a U.S. territory with a significant military base that would be
crucial in any conflict with China.

These recent tactics are not isolated incidents. They are the latest moves in
a years-long Chinese campaign to undermine U.S. leadership. In the past two
decades, China has accomplished the most rapid military buildup in modern
history. Meanwhile, the U.S. military is shrinking. Dictator Xi Jinping has
repeatedly signaled sinister intentions for his military might. He has
commanded his forces to be ready to invade Taiwan, a U.S. ally and key economic
partner, by 2027. At home, Xi has doubled down on his brutal repression of
religious freedom. He continues the genocide against ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang
and the restrictions on Christians’ freedom to worship. As everyone knows,
China also violated our national sovereignty with what President Biden blithely
dismissed as a “silly balloon.” But that intelligence tool was a third the size
of the Statue of Liberty and contained significant surveillance capabilities.


Holding China Accountable


China’s actions have placed the United States in the most dangerous national
security moment since World War II. Under President Biden, China has met little
resistance when acting against our interests. This weakness does little to
discourage the Chinese Communist Party from taking more dangerous steps. As the
top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am working to help our
nation meet the moment.

I recently welcomed the nomination of Air Force General Charles “CQ” Brown as
the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In his distinguished military
career, General Brown has pursued innovative ways to deter China, and I look
forward to working with him. In particular, I encourage him to prioritize
fighting real wars abroad over culture wars at the Pentagon.

I will also continue my congressional oversight role. Last month, I pressed
the FBI for information on its investigation into a Pentagon official accused
of leaking classified information. The official allegedly did so to spin
President Biden’s handling of the spy balloon. I also called for the president
to follow the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act. The law requires the
administration to send Congress updates on overdue efforts to sell Taiwan the
weapons it needs to defend itself. Finally, I am preparing to introduce a bill
to reduce funding to the United Nations Human Rights Council until it agrees to
investigate China’s human rights abuses.

We do not wish for conflict with China. But we achieve lasting peace by being
strong enough to deter war and by holding China accountable.


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Senator Roger Wicker

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