28th Parliamentary Intelligence – Security Forum – Opening remarks
Mr. Matt Pottinger highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges, particularly those posed by China’s actions. He explained that China’s activities, such as pollution, biological warfare, the reckless cover up of the COVID outbreak in Wuhan, intellectual property theft, and dumping practices, greatly undermine global health, prosperity, security, and liberty. Beijing also continues to compromise global security by backing rogue dictators such as Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea.
Mr. Pottinger also criticized China’s dual messaging, where it presents itself as a willing participant in the international system while hiding its true intentions. He argued that Chinese leaders promote myths, including the idea that the ruling party is communist in name only, when in fact, President Xi Jinping foresees the eventual demise of capitalism and the triumph of socialism. Further, he argued that contrary to claims by Beijing, it promotes autocractic models abroad and continues to spread the “Xi Jinping Thought” which advances the notion of Chinese political and cultural supremacy.
He concluded by sharing several principles to safeguard sovereignty and rights of citizens. First is speaking candidly, publicly, and at the highest possible level to Beijing about its actions that undermine rights and sovereignty. Second is imposing steep cost on Beijing’s actions. Third is tempering Xi Jinping through robust coordinated military deterrence and restricting China’s access to technology, capital, and data. Fourth is preventing China from using the Internet to reshape perceptions and narratives, as seen in India’s ban of Tiktok and WeChat. Finally, there is a need to protect Chinese citizens living and studying abroad from being discriminated, clearly distinguishing them from the Chinese Communist Party.
