Washington • Utah Reps. Chris Stewart and John Curtis were named Thursday to a Republican-led “China task force” tasked with countering threats from China and digging into the origin and spread of the coronavirus from that country.
Democrats have refused to participate in the panel, which now will include 15 Republicans and established goals of discovering Chinese “operations” targeting U.S. and foreign governments, think tanks, businesses and news media outlets.
The GOP group also plans to look at the Chinese Communist Party and its attempts to “attain leadership positions and change norms at international organizations and standard-setting bodies” as well as “economic coercion of governments and businesses in the United States and partner countries, including through the monopolization of critical supply chains.”
The GOP task force is separate from the House-sanctioned special committee on the coronavirus. House Republican leaders finally named members from their caucus to that panel on Thursday as they rolled out their own all-GOP task force.
Curtis said Thursday the task force will study issues from disinformation campaigns, influence operations and economic and competitive threats.
“My time in the region has given me a unique understanding of the history, culture, and language which I will use as the China Task Force tackles these issues head-on,” Curtis said in a statement. “There is a need for a unified and bipartisan voice on these issues; I hope my Democratic colleagues will soon join us.”
Curtis was, as a young man, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan and speaks Mandarin Chinese. He later traveled there for business purposes.
Stewart said that China was a threat “well before” the coronavirus and now there is increased urgency to address the issue.
“We are witnessing a generational geopolitical realignment as the world begins to recognize the true intent of Chinese leadership’s capabilities and ambitions,” Stewart said in a statement. “I look forward to serving on this important committee and developing a plan to ensure our future economic and national security.”
The task force is expected to suggest policy recommendations by Oct. 30, just days before the general election.
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