Biden's China Strategy

Following the Chinese spy balloon incident in February, which escalated U.S.-China tensions, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan commended President Joe Biden's strategy towards China, which has been pivotal in easing the strain and encouraging Beijing to engage on issues critical to the U.S. Sullivan underscored the administration's "intensive outreach" to Beijing, with efforts to mend bilateral relations that had deteriorated to a "historic low" after the incident prompted the cancellation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's long-awaited trip to China.

Capitol Hill viewed the spy balloon episode as a significant threat, leading to increased scrutiny and concern over Beijing's actions. Nevertheless, the diplomatic efforts bore fruit with Blinken's visit to Beijing in June and President Biden's subsequent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November.

One of the tangible results of these diplomatic endeavors was the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group in Beijing. Additionally, the resumption of bilateral military-to-military contacts has been hailed as a step forward in fostering dialogue and mitigating conflict risks. The nations also agreed to discuss the safe development of artificial intelligence, marking progress in the critical area of technology.

Sullivan lauded the bilateral exchanges, including his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister W*** Yi in Bangkok, where they acknowledged the significance of leader-to-leader dialogues. Despite GOP criticism, the Biden administration continues to champion the benefits of engagement with China, a stance Rep. Mike Gallagher termed as “zombie engagement.”

However, escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly an Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi militia activities in Yemen, and an Iranian proxy drone attack that resulted in the death of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, have intensified concerns regarding regional stability. Blinken has articulated his apprehension about the highest regional volatility in the Middle East since 1973.

Notably, Sullivan's efforts to persuade China to exert its economic influence over Iran to mitigate threats to global supply chains have been unsuccessful. Additionally, the U.S. administration remains concerned about China’s "no limits" partnership with Russia and the assistance Chinese companies are providing Russia in rebuilding its defense industrial base, posing challenges to U.S. interests.

In response to these challenges and to safeguard national security, the U.S. is planning to update export restrictions on high-technology semiconductors targeted at China. Amid these developments, former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson has weighed in on the security threats posed by China and the state of the U.S. leading up to elections.

State Armor, a new nonprofit organization, is poised to counter Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in the U.S. Michael Lucci, the organization's founder and CEO, emphasized the sophistication of China's influence operations and the targeting of states. State Armor's mission includes protecting critical infrastructure, building "supply chains of freedom," and preparing for potential threats such as the invasion of Taiwan. The initiative enjoys support from former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien and plans to introduce legislation or executive orders in over 12 states to counteract China's influence.

Concerns have also been raised about the increase in Chinese donations to the University of Pennsylvania, which hosts Biden's think tank, including funds from CCP-linked sources. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center has reported on CCP strategies to influence U.S. state and local governments, aiming to secure support for policies more favorable to Beijing and to reduce criticism of China's policies towards minority groups and pro-democracy activists.

Alex Gray, now CEO of American Global Strategies LLC, and former deputy assistant to the president, backs State Armor's objectives, highlighting the importance of local action in preparing for and addressing threats posed by the CCP.

Conservative Bias:

Ladies and gentlemen, what we're witnessing here is the Biden administration's embarrassing capitulation to the Chinese Communist Party. Following the blatant spy balloon fiasco, which should have been met with the strongest possible response, we instead see Biden's team groveling at Beijing's feet, begging for dialogue. This is nothing short of a national disgrace. The so-called "intensive outreach" is a euphemism for weakness and appeasement. While China builds its military might and sends spy balloons over our homeland, Biden's bureaucrats are busy sipping tea with their Chinese counterparts, discussing narcotics and AI, as if these band-aid solutions will address the real threat the dragon poses. And let's not forget the cozy financial ties between Chinese donations and Biden's think tank. If this isn't a conflict of interest that reeks of corruption, I don't know what is. The establishment of State Armor is the only silver lining here, a necessary step to protect our nation from the long arm of the CCP, which Biden and his cronies are too blind or too complicit to confront. We need strength, not surrender, to deal with China.

Liberal Bias:

In a classic conservative misdirection, the GOP is once again trying to paint a picture of a weak America under Democratic leadership, ignoring the nuanced and strategic diplomacy that is essential in dealing with global superpowers like China. The Biden administration, contrary to the fear-mongering of the right, is taking p****nt steps to engage with China to reduce tensions and address critical issues, from the Middle East to technological advancements. Meanwhile, Republicans would rather beat the drums of war and st*** xenophobic sentiments than pursue a path that ensures peace and stability. They conveniently overlook the complexities of international relations, choosing to criticize efforts to mend relations after the spy balloon incident instead of offering constructive solutions. Their hypocrisy is astounding, especially when considering their silence over the previous administration's cozy relationship with autocrats. And let's talk about State Armor – just another attempt to fearmonger and drum up support through the specter of an imminent Chinese invasion. The GOP's obsession with demonizing China is a dangerous distraction from the real issues at hand, including their own party's complicity in undermining our democracy. It's high time we focus on building bridges, not walls, and working towards a future where cooperation, not conflict, defines the U.S.-China relationship.