[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 71 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ASSESSING XI'S INTERFERENCE AND SUBVERSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7314, 
the Assessing Xi's Interference and Subversion Act or AXIS Act.
  The AXIS Act requires the Department of State to report to Congress 
on how China's government is directly or indirectly supporting Russia's 
invasion of Ukraine.
  The report will include evidence of the Chinese government helping 
Russian entities circumvent U.S. sanctions, inhibiting the U.S. 
government's investigations, or assisting Russia with any technology, 
propaganda efforts, and financial arrangements.
  The bill notes that Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi 
Jinping met with Russian leader Putin on February 4, 2022, less than 
three weeks prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the two released 
a joint statement outlining a strategic partnership with ``no limits'' 
and no ``forbidden'' areas for cooperation.
  Additionally, it notes that China abstained from UN votes condemning 
Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 25th and March 2nd; and that 
China has not publicly condemned Russia's illegal and unprovoked 
invasion.
  The Chinese government has demonstrated its support of Russia and 
Putin through compliancy.
  China opposed U.S. military support for Ukraine, and abstained when 
the UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution blaming Russia 
for the humanitarian consequences of illegal aggression against 
Ukraine.
  Russian propaganda is spreading through China, subjecting the Chinese 
people to the delusion that the invasion of Ukraine is only a ``special 
military operation''.
  Russia has claimed that their invasion is partly backed by Ukrainians 
attempting to free Ukraine from its Soviet Legacy.
  The Chinese Communist Party has traditionally supported and 
encouraged Russia, as they are both rooted in communist ideology.
  When Xi and President Joe Biden spoke on March 18th, President Biden 
communicated that there would be ``implications and consequences if 
China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks 
against Ukrainian cities and civilians.''
  As a result of China's disinformation efforts related to Russia's war 
against Ukraine, China must be held accountable for suppressing 
Russia's war crimes, as well.
  Russian war crimes include the indiscriminate killing of countless 
civilians. In light of this, if China is found to be materially 
supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine, there should be swift and 
rigorous consequences for China.
  Specifically, this bill would include a discussion of China's support 
for Russia in terms of:
  Helping Russia or Russian entities evade U.S. sanctions or 
multilateral sanctions and export controls;
  Inhibiting U.S. export control end-use checks, including interviews 
and investigations in China;
  Providing Russia with any technology that supports Russian 
intelligence or military capabilities, including certain 
classifications of semiconductors (EAR99);
  Establishing economic or financial agreements that will have the 
effect of alleviating the impact of U.S. sanctions or multilateral 
sanctions;
  Furthering Russia's disinformation and propaganda efforts;
  Coordinating to hinder the efforts of multilateral organizations, 
including the UN, to provide aid to the people or government of 
Ukraine, to condemn Russia's war, to hold Russia accountable for the 
invasion and its prosecution of the war, or to hold those complicit 
accountable; and
  Providing any material, technical, or logistical support, including 
to the Russian military or intelligence agencies and state-owned or 
state-linked enterprises.
  We must ensure that, if China is aiding Russia's unprovoked and 
unjustified war against Ukraine, then such actions do not go 
unpunished.
  This bill allows Congress to monitor the Chinese government's 
activity and assistance, and act accordingly. The report required by 
the bill would specific efforts relating to U.S. action and sanctions, 
recommending ways for our steps against Russia to be as effective as 
possible.
  This alliance between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kremlin is 
a serious threat to the U.S. and our allies.
  The world should know how China is aiding and abetting Russia in 
evading the effects of international sanctions.
  I urge all members to join me in voting for H.R. 7314, the AXIS Act 
because as my colleague Congressman Gregory Meeks said, ``if China is 
complicit in the bloodshed of the Ukrainian people, the world should 
know that too''.

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