Monday, February 10, 2020
By Gary Bauer
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed the National Governors Association this weekend. It may seem odd that America's top diplomat was addressing our governors, who are generally preoccupied with domestic issues rather than foreign policy.
But Secretary Pompeo wanted to speak to this audience, and he had a stark warning for them: China's Communist Party (CCP) is "working" them and their key advisors. Pompeo told the governors that the CCP has compiled a report with dossiers on all 50 governors labeling their positions toward China as "friendly," "ambiguous" or "hardline."
In short, Pompeo warned the governors to be alert to the threats posed by Beijing, and to do what they can at the state level to safeguard America's interests. He cited several examples of Chinese diplomats pressuring state and local officials, including a Chicago high school, over Taiwan.
He urged governors to redirect state pension funds away from technology companies that aid Beijing's brutal suppression of speech and religious liberty, and to avoid investing in companies that support the People's Liberation Army.
I was pleased to see that Secretary Pompeo also warned the governors about China's Thousand Talents program and about the Confucius Institutes, funded by the Chinese Communist Party, on many of our college campuses.
While trade with China certainly can be beneficial for American companies and workers, in the past it has rarely been free or fair. In fact, it has often come at a very high price. Kudos to the Trump Administration for continuing to call out the worst aspects of China's predatory behavior.
But Secretary Pompeo wanted to speak to this audience, and he had a stark warning for them: China's Communist Party (CCP) is "working" them and their key advisors. Pompeo told the governors that the CCP has compiled a report with dossiers on all 50 governors labeling their positions toward China as "friendly," "ambiguous" or "hardline."
In short, Pompeo warned the governors to be alert to the threats posed by Beijing, and to do what they can at the state level to safeguard America's interests. He cited several examples of Chinese diplomats pressuring state and local officials, including a Chicago high school, over Taiwan.
He urged governors to redirect state pension funds away from technology companies that aid Beijing's brutal suppression of speech and religious liberty, and to avoid investing in companies that support the People's Liberation Army.
I was pleased to see that Secretary Pompeo also warned the governors about China's Thousand Talents program and about the Confucius Institutes, funded by the Chinese Communist Party, on many of our college campuses.
While trade with China certainly can be beneficial for American companies and workers, in the past it has rarely been free or fair. In fact, it has often come at a very high price. Kudos to the Trump Administration for continuing to call out the worst aspects of China's predatory behavior.
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