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Washington, May 15
A senior US senator revealed an 18-point plan, which includes strengthening military ties with India, to hold the Chinese government accountable for its “lies, deceit, and cover-ups” that ultimately led to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The most prominent suggestions are to move the manufacturing chain from China and deepen military and strategic ties in India, Vietnam and Taiwan.
“The Chinese government maliciously covered up and allowed a global pandemic that has caused so many Americans misery. This is the same regime that locks its own citizens in labor camps, steals technology and jobs from the United States, and threatens the sovereignty of our allies, “said Senator Thom Tillis, presenting his detailed 18-point plan Thursday.
“This is a great wake-up call to the United States and the rest of the free world. My action plan will hold the Chinese government accountable for lying about COVID-19; sanction the Chinese government while protecting the United States economy, public health, and national security, “he said.
The plan seeks to create a Pacific Deterrence Initiative and immediately approve the military’s request for $ 20 billion in funds. It also requires deepening military ties with regional allies and expanding equipment sales to India, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Encourage Japan to rebuild its armed forces and offer sales of offensive military equipment to Japan and South Korea, he said.
“Move manufacturing to China from the US. Gradually remove our dependence on the supply chain in China. Prevent China from stealing our technology and offer incentives to American companies to regain our technological advantage. Strengthen cybersecurity against hackers and sabotage, “said the plan.
“Prevent American taxpayers’ money from being used by the Chinese government to pay their debt. Implement the US ban on Huawei (Chinese technology company) and coordinate with our allies to implement similar bans,” he added.
The plan seeks restitution from the Chinese government and the imposition of sanctions for lying about the virus. Furthermore, he said China should be penalized for its appalling human rights record.
Senator Tillis’s plan urges the Trump Administration to formally request the International Olympic Committee to withdraw the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing.
“Stop China’s propaganda campaign within the United States. Treat the Chinese government-run media as the propaganda representatives you are,” the plan said.
Urging the government to investigate the Chinese government’s cover-up of the COVID-19 spread, the plan also seeks to investigate the United States’ dependence on China’s supply chains and threats to public safety and national security.
“Ensure WHO independence through research and reform. Expose and counter China’s predatory debt-trap diplomacy directed at developing countries. Increase the exchange of information on possible pandemics and lead the creation of an organization of surveillance to control the handling of deadly viruses by foreign governments. ” Tillis said in her suggestions.
The coronavirus, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December, has killed more than 3,000,000 people with 4.3 million confirmed cases worldwide. More than a quarter of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 are from the United States. USA
There has been increasing pressure on President Trump, in recent weeks, to take action against China, as lawmakers and opinion makers feel that COVID-19 spread across the world from Wuhan due to Chinese inaction. .
Meanwhile, Senator John Barrasso, in a speech on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, highlighted the need to update the legislation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that was suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The virus could have been contained had it not been for the unscrupulous cover-up by the Chinese government. China knew the risk months earlier than the rest of the world; however, Chinese communist leaders destroyed key evidence, fewer reports of cases of coronaviruses, and deceived the world about its deadly and rapid spread, “he said.
Claiming that the virus should have been contained in Wuhan, he said that tens and tens of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have died as a result of China’s failure.
Barrasso said the United States should encourage its companies to create American and Western supply chains. “That way, our frontline workers have what they need in times of crisis,” he said.
“Again, we will never be exclusive sources of China’s critical medicines. We should diversify supply and bring as many of our supply chain home as possible,” he added.
Congressman Troy Balderson introduced bicameral legislation with Congressman Doug Collins and Senator Lindsey Graham that will hold China accountable for the deceptive actions taken by its leaders that led to the spread and subsequent global pandemic.
The COVID-19 Accountability Act authorizes President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on China if he does not cooperate with a full US-led investigation. USA Or his allies about the events that led to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The number of Ohio lives unnecessarily claimed by this pandemic could have been significantly reduced if China had taken appropriate measures to control the spread of the virus and reveal its severity,” said Balderson.
“The United States cannot look the other way when China so recklessly compromised world health and the global economy. China and its Communist Party leadership must be held to account,” he said. PTI
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