Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, July 29: A group of U.S. senators across party lines are preparing to introduce three new bills this week targeting China’s human rights abuses, expanding repression abroad, and aggression toward Taiwan. The legislation, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, signals growing congressional concern over China’s domestic and international behaviour, according to the UK-based news outlet Reuters.
The three proposed bills were primarily led by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, a Democrat known for his strong stance on human rights. Merkley said the United States must not waver in the face of China’s rising authoritarianism. “No matter who is in the White House, America’s values of freedom and human rights must remain at the heart of a clear and principled vision that guides our leadership on the global stage,” he said.
The first bill, co-sponsored by Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, seeks to impose travel bans on Chinese officials involved in the forced repatriation and repression of Uyghur Muslims in East Turkestan. Human rights organisations have documented mass detentions, surveillance, and abuse of Uyghurs in what they describe as crimes against humanity. The bill aims to hold Chinese officials accountable for these actions and prevent them from entering the United States.
The second bill, co-sponsored by Republican Representative John Curtis of Utah, is focused on Taiwan. It proposes increased U.S. support for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The bill also calls for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan cooperation, both economically and militarily, as China continues to pressure the island diplomatically and militarily. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.
The third bill, co-sponsored by Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, addresses China’s transnational repression. It condemns the Chinese government’s efforts to harass and intimidate dissidents, activists, and journalists abroad, including Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners, and Chinese democracy advocates. The bill calls on the U.S. government to take stronger action against such foreign interference and to protect individuals who are targeted by the Chinese state overseas.
These legislative moves come as high-level trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials are scheduled to take place in Stockholm, just ahead of an August 12 deadline set by Trump. The US president is pushing to extend a temporary truce on tariffs and reach broader economic agreements with Beijing. While his trade efforts enjoy support from many Republicans, they have also raised concerns among national security experts and lawmakers who fear that security and human rights issues are being overshadowed.
