Bipartisan Bills Target China’s Human Rights Violations Amid US

Sen. Jeff Markley (d-ore.) (l) joined by Chairman of the Chinese Congressional Executive Committee (CECC) Chris Smith (RN.J.) (R), spoke at a press conference on March 22, 224, discussing the impact of the National Security Bill (Article 23 legislation) at the House Triangle, House Building in Capitol Building, Washington. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

As Washington and Beijing resumed trade talks in Stockholm, a group of bipartisan lawmakers are introducing the law this week, targeting Chinese Communist Party (CCP) human rights abuses at home and its cross-border oppression campaigns.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Jeff Markley (d-ore.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) of China’s Congressional Executive Committee (CECC).

One of the bills aims to tackle “cross-border oppression.” Foreign governments and their proxies target dissidents, journalists and other persecution groups overseas.

The bill is sponsored by Chris Smith (RN.J.) and James McGovern (D-Mass.) in the House.

At a September 2023 CECC hearing, Merckley said cross-border oppression was “central to the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy of silence critics of China’s policy around the world.”

A 2024 committee report stated that the Chinese administration “continued a multifaceted campaign of multifaceted oppression to intimidate and strengthen critics, Uyghurs, Hong Kong and others.”

The report said the CCP “continued to monitor, detain and imprison Falun Gong supporters.” Earlier this month, Smith called supporters of CCP’s spiritual discipline targeted “cross-border terrorism” at an event marking the administration’s 26-year persecution of Falun Gong.

Another bill sponsored by Rep. Smith and Rep. Tom Suzzi (DN.Y.) in the House, seeks to expand the Chinese administration’s right to grant approval for human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims, covering more actions of human rights violations and those responsible for Uyghur multinational control.

Human rights experts say Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region are subject to mass detention, with an estimated 1 million people located in a vast network of concentration camps and other detention facilities in Xinjiang.

Survivors of the camp say they have experienced forced labor, forced sterilization, political indoctrination and other abuses during detention.

Bill Markley, co-hosted by Sen. John Curtis (R-UTAH), aims to support Taiwan as pressure from mainland China is growing. It will support Latin America and the Caribbean countries as they maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan and take other measures to deepen their coordination with Taipei.

The CCP never ruled Taiwan, but it considers the island’s democracy as its territory and repeatedly threatens to forcibly annex it. The administration hampered Taiwan’s diplomatic relations and prevented it from participating in international organizations. It argues that the world should follow its “one China” policy. This argues that the Communist regime is the only legitimate government on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

In a statement, Merckley said the United States cannot afford to be weak in the face of invasions from the People’s Republic of China and around the world.

“No matter who is in the White House, America’s freedom and human rights values must remain at the heart of a clear, principled vision that guides our leadership at the global stage,” he added.

On Monday, US officials led by U.S. Treasury Chief Chief Scott Bescent met with a Beijing delegation in Stockholm, renewing trade talks and paved the way for President Donald Trump’s potential visit to China.

China faces an August 12 deadline, reaching a durable tariff agreement with the Trump administration after Beijing and Washington reached tentative deals in May and June to end weeks of dilute tariffs and rare earth mineral blockades.

Bescent said last week that the deadline is likely to be extended. Authorities are expected to resume consultations on Tuesday.

Reuters contributed to this report.