[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E703-E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CHINESE INTENTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, recently the Central Intelligence Agency 
(CIA) released an unclassified report concerning Chinese espionage 
activities against the United States. The report is very insightful and 
I therefore urge every Member to read the report.
  Additionally, I have received the CIA's classified briefing 
concerning Chinese espionage operations. Needless to say, the briefing 
was more detailed about the activities of our ``most favored'' trading 
partner. The classified briefing not only solidified my opinion that we 
need to do more to dissuade the Chinese government from acting against 
our country, but gave me at least thirteen more reasons to continue 
advancing my opinion toward developing a national missile defense 
capability for the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I have sought clarity to the unclassified report and the 
unaddressed issues of the report. Those points, are outlined in a 
letter addressed to CIA Director George Tenet, which I hereby submit 
for the Record.

                                                   April 27, 2000.
     George Tenet, Director,
     Central Intelligence Agency,
     Attention: Public Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Tenet: Please consider my concerns on the joint 
     CIA/FBI Report to Congress on Chinese Espionage Activities 
     Against the United States, unclassified version. The report 
     omits pertinent items that would otherwise clarify the issue 
     of Communist Chinese espionage, propaganda, and penetration 
     of U.S. political affairs, government, and armed forces. 
     Rather than leading the reader to an understanding of the 
     threat and purpose behind Communist China's acts of espionage 
     against the United States, the report fails to interrelate 
     Communist China's intelligence operations, military build up, 
     and political opportunism.
       One of the chief roles of intelligence is to provide 
     information to a country engaged in or about to engage in 
     war. In view of the remarkable penetration by the Communist 
     Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) of U.S. military 
     capabilities, the wholesale theft of advanced U.S. technology 
     by the PLA, and the burgeoning interference of Communist 
     Chinese agents with U.S. political affairs, it must be stated 
     that Communist China is engaged in undeclared war against the 
     United States. There is no other purpose for the magnitude 
     and focus of Communist Chinese espionage against the United 
     States.
       One of the classical uses of espionage and networks of 
     spies, agents, saboteurs, and ``friends'' is to provide a 
     ``fifth column'' attacking the will and sensibility of an 
     opponent. Adolph Hitler demonstrated the effectiveness of 
     ``fifth column'' elements in his overthrow of Czechoslovakia 
     in 1938. Such is the activity of Communist China inside the 
     United States today. Indeed, classical military strategy 
     would call for directed efforts at breaking the will of an 
     opponent, regardless of the means. The report would do well 
     to note this.
       The driving force and purpose behind Communist China's 
     espionage against the United States has been stated by 
     Communist China. In 1999 Communist China's Defense Minister, 
     General Chi Haotian, stated that war with the United States 
     ``is inevitable.'' The doctrine of the Communist Chinese PLA 
     plans

[[Page E704]]

     for war against the United States as a threat to Communist 
     Chinese hegemony in the Far East and a threat to the 
     oppressive nature of Communist China's regime which rules by 
     brutality and the repression of human freedom. The report 
     would do well to note this, and is striking for its paucity 
     of references and omission of Communist Chinese thinking.
       One of the lessons learned by Communist China from the 1991 
     Persian Gulf War was the effectiveness of advanced military 
     technology. Following the 1991 Persian Gulf
       What would have been helpful in such a report, however, is 
     an explanation of the relationship between Communist China 
     espionage and intelligence operations, Communist China's 
     efforts to ``ascend the technology ladder,'' and the 
     modernization program of the Communist Chinese PLA focused on 
     the acquisition of a U.S.-type military replete with a blue 
     water Navy and air power projection capabilities, and the 
     rapid, aggressive acquisition and development of advanced 
     ballistic missile technology, nuclear weapons, and manned 
     space operations. The driving force behind Communist China's 
     economic modernization is the PLA, seeking to acquire 
     advanced military weapons. The report should note this, and 
     could prove helpful by including a description of the PLA's 
     military modernization program, a link with DIA (Defense 
     Intelligence Agency) may be appropriate on this point.
       Intelligence is a key adjunct to successful military 
     operations. Noting the acquisition by Communist China of a 
     global space tracking network, including its ship-based 
     satellite tracking systems, the agreement of the Republic of 
     Kiribati to let Communist China use the island of Tarawa for 
     satellite tracking would be helpful. The report would also be 
     helpful in providing information on Communist Chinese plans 
     to establishing an intelligence gathering station in Cuba, 
     and in the Bahamas, both close to home, and impinging upon 
     our space program based at Cape Canaveral. An update would 
     also be appropriate on Communist Chinese activity in Panama, 
     which affects U.S. economic interests in the Panama Canal, 
     and in the control of drug trafficking and regional 
     stability.
       The report would provide valuable information by noting 
     specific examples and activities of Communist Chinese 
     companies and ``front operations'' such as Cosco, which serve 
     as conduits for Communist Chinese espionage. In particular, 
     Communist Chinese activity in California should be revealed, 
     especially in regard to their purchase or leasing of 
     commercial property for trade (ports, warehouses, and 
     airports). The magnitude of the Communist Chinese penetration 
     of the United States needs clear explanation even beyond the 
     classified version of the report which I have read. It needs 
     to be understood. The contents of the report need to be 
     expanded and brought to light so that the American people can 
     see and understand the magnitude, comprehensiveness, and 
     diffuseness of Communist Chinese intelligence operations 
     against the U.S.
       On March 9, The Washington Times said of the report that 
     ``professional military and civilian intelligence officers 
     play a small part in the China's spying efforts'' (Bill 
     Gertz, ``China Boosts Spy Presence in U.S., CIA, FBI 
     Report''). This needs further explanation. In addition, the 
     United States has adopted a policy of giving away advanced 
     military training and tactics to the PLA. These military 
     contacts need to be delineated and described to Congress and 
     the American people. The American people need to understand 
     the closeness of the PLA in grasping and being able to combat 
     U.S. military doctrine and tactics.
       The report would also provide valuable background 
     information describing Communist China's acquisition of new 
     territory in Southeast Asia: Communist China's forcible 
     takeover of the Parcel Islands in 1974; Communist China's 
     forcible expulsion of the Philippines from Mischief Reef in 
     the Spratly Islands in 1995; Communist China's propaganda 
     against Taiwan, and its territorial claims for the Natuna 
     Island oil and gas reserves owned by Indonesia are aspects of 
     Communist Chinese belligerence that beg for description. It 
     is also worth noting the military weakness of the many 
     nations in Southeast Asia compared to Communist China.
       I am encouraged that the report describes Communist Chinese 
     intelligence operations against the United States. I am 
     anxious to hear of recommendations from the CIA and FBI on 
     the steps Congress should take to combat and defeat Communist 
     China's intelligence, espionage, and propaganda campaign 
     against the United States.
       I look forward to your response. Thank you for your kind 
     attention to this matter.

     

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