China's Aggressive Expansion: Senator Tom Cotton Weighs In

Strategic Insights -

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, has sounded the alarm about China's growing aggression, saying that the country is using the COVID-19 pandemic to assert its claims and take aggressive action against its neighbors. In a recent interview on Sunday Morning Futures, Cotton highlighted China's militarization along the Indian border, its passage of legislation in Hong Kong that violates international commitments, and its aggressive actions in the South China Sea and against Japan in the East China Sea.

Key Takeaways:

  • China's Communist Party is using the COVID-19 pandemic to assert its claims and take aggressive action against its neighbors.
  • The country has militarized along the Indian border, killed 20 Indian soldiers, and passed legislation in Hong Kong that violates international commitments.
  • China has taken aggressive actions in the South China Sea and against Japan in the East China Sea.
  • The US Department of Defense has revealed that there are over 20 Chinese military companies operating in the US, doing joint ventures and buying companies.
  • Senator Cotton has introduced the American Foundries Act of 2020, which aims to provide $14 billion to support the production and development of microelectronics in America.
  • The US needs to support viable, competitive alternatives to Huawei to counter China's dominance in the technology sector.
  • Elizabeth Warren, if she becomes the key economic voice in a Biden administration, would promote radical left economic policies, including a wealth tax, breaking up large companies, and regulating industries.
  • The Democratic Party's push for D.C. statehood is a power grab to gain two Senate seats in perpetuity.

Statistics:

  • Over 20 Chinese military companies are operating in the US, doing joint ventures and buying companies.
  • $14 billion is proposed to support the production and development of microelectronics in America through the American Foundries Act of 2020.
  • 20 Indian soldiers were reportedly killed by Chinese forces in the Himalayas.
  • The US has conducted repeated airspace invasions by Chinese forces in the South China Sea.

Sources:

  • Senate of the United States
  • Fox News: Sunday Morning Futures
  • Cowen and Company report (as cited in the interview)
  • US Department of Defense