Attempts by the Chinese government to guide, buy, or coerce political influence and control discussion of “sensitive” topics are pervasive, and pose serious challenges in the United States and globally, particularly as China uses technology and the lure of the Chinese market to impose authoritarian practices abroad, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) writes:
This hearing will examine the Chinese government’s foreign influence operations intended to censor critical discussion of its history and human rights record and to intimidate critics of its repressive policies – the second in a series looking at China’s “long arm” and its impact on universally recognized freedoms. Witnesses will discuss the Chinese government and Communist Party’s efforts to interfere in multilateral institutions, threaten and intimidate rights defenders and their families, impose censorship mechanisms on foreign publishers and social media companies, and influence academic institutions and critical analysis of China’s past history and present policies. They will also offer recommendations for Congressional and Administration action.
Witnesses:
Shanthi Kalathil, Director, International Forum for Democratic Studies, National Endowment for Democracy
Glenn Tiffert, Ph.D., Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Sophie Richardson, Ph.D., China Director, Human Rights Watch
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
10a.m. – 12p.m.
301 Russell Senate Office Building
Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.
Media Contact: Scott Flipse, 202-226-3777 or scott.flipse@mail.house.gov