[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CHINESE INFLUENCE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, before the holidays, the U.S.-China 
Economic and Security Review Commission, USCC, released its 2021 Report 
to Congress. As is customary, the report reflects a bipartisan 
consensus, with unanimous support from the 11-member commission. It 
includes 32 recommendations to the Congress, each of which is worth 
serious consideration, especially in light of the announcement that 
Chinese President Xi Jinping will rule for at least another 5 years.
  This is not the first time that I have spoken about China and the 
importance of increasing our Nation's competitiveness. I think we all 
recognize that it is an issue that impacts, directly or indirectly, the 
lives of every American. Today, I want to call attention to China's 
expansionist foreign policy, particularly one section of the USCC's 
report that discusses Chinese investments in Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
  Chinese foreign policy has become increasingly bold, with goals that 
are both economic and political. China's economic goals are twofold: 
increasing access to raw materials while developing new markets for 
Chinese products. China has supported growth in parts of Latin America 
by financing mining, transportation, electric power generation, large 
scale agriculture, and other infrastructure projects.
  However, there is a dark side to this increased investment and trade. 
Countries' reliance on commodity exports and China's control over 
supply chains strengthen China's influence in Latin American and 
Caribbean economies. With so much of these countries' economies 
dependent on continued trade and positive diplomatic relations with 
China, it is no wonder that we see some governments bypassing 
regulatory standards in order to obtain further investment 
opportunities. This increased dependence can undermine democratic 
institutions, weaken environmental and social safeguards, and encourage 
corruption and violations of human rights. The Chinese Communist Party 
is promoting its own political agenda by supporting authoritarian 
regimes, promoting pro-China media, and strong-arming governments into 
isolating Taiwan.
  The USCC makes five recommendations to counter these trends: first, 
respond to Chinese economic, diplomatic, and security initiatives by 
expanding U.S. funding mechanisms for infrastructure projects, the 
distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and educational exchanges; second, 
increase support for governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to 
create foreign investment review processes and require the Department 
of State to report to Congress on progress; third, require the Director 
of National Intelligence, Department of State, and Department of 
Defense to submit an unclassified report detailing the implications of 
Chinese investment in port infrastructure, Chinese military presence at 
such ports, and the potential for leveraging such ports for Chinese 
military purposes in the future; fourth, require that all applications 
for U.S. foreign assistance include a disclosure of debt owed to 
Chinese entities; and finally, create a partnership between coastal 
Latin American countries and U.S. Government authorities identified in 
the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act to increase 
maritime domain awareness and combat illegal Chinese fishing.
  I urge the administration to consult with Congress on a path forward 
to implement each of these recommendations.
  The Senate's fiscal year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
Programs Appropriations bill includes $653.8 million for assistance for 
the countries of Central America, including $100 million for localized 
development in the Northern Triangle. Additional funds are included for 
economic and security assistance for the Caribbean countries. We must 
support programs in these countries that prioritize the well-being of 
their citizens, protect their national sovereignty, and encourage fair 
trade and investment by supporting community policing, maritime 
security, energy independence, elementary and secondary education, 
anti-gang programs, employment opportunities, programs to improve 
government transparency and accountability, and by strengthening civil 
society. These are long-term investments, but they will provide the 
most effective alternatives to Chinese influence.

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