Friend –

My latest op-ed just landed – just before Secretary of State Blinken lands in Beijing – and it makes clear why diplomacy and development matters to America’s China’s strategy.

• Start with the fact that the People’s Republic of China has increased their economic development investments by 430% across Africa, Latin America, and Asia over the last decade of available data.
  
  
• Click here to read.

I co-wrote the piece with national security leader General Joe Votel, former CENTCOM Commander, and we also point out that China’s rise isn’t happening in a vacuum – Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the food and humanitarian crises are all increasing global instability.

That’s why it’s particularly troubling this week that the House Appropriations Committee proposed dangerous cuts of 31% to America’s footprint in the world. Already, we have heard strong concerns from Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

I’ll have a full update next week on the budget battles, USGLC’s Global Impact Forum, and more. But with this weekend’s high stakes China diplomacy, I wanted you to see my op-ed with General Votel.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC