Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials recently conducted its initial China Working Group session as a means of addressing response to evolving threats posed by China.
“The Chinese threat is intensifying at an alarming rate through CCP’s malign activity in the trade, cybersecurity, immigration, and intellectual property domains,” DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said. “Consistent with President Trump’s leadership and direction, DHS is at the forefront of combating these threats to the Homeland and our way of life. The Department’s role in curbing China’s malign activity has never been more important nor timely. DHS’s newly-established China Working Group will prioritize, coordinate, and articulate decisive near- and long-term actions commensurate with the threat we face.”
The effort articulated, prioritized and coordinated response while solidifying DHS’s role of working on the frontlines to protect from China’s campaign to undermine economic prosperity, national security and fundamental freedoms.
Recent DHS actions include working with industry and state, local, tribal and territorial governments to combat Chinese disinformation campaigns or broader efforts to distort the country’s public discourse; targeting illicit Chinese manufacturers who have exploited the pandemic by producing and disseminating fraudulent or prohibited COVID-19 PPE and medical supplies to the United States; and leveraging President Donald Trump’s May 29 Proclamation denying entry to graduate students whose purpose is stealing intellectual property to advance Beijing’s economic and national security interests.