Hearing on China’s Growing Global Influence: Objectives and Strategies

Opening Statement of June Teufel Dreyer
Hearing Co-Chair

Friday July 22, 2005
Washington, DC

Good morning and welcome to the second day of our hearing on China’s Growing Global Influence: Objectives and Strategies. Yesterday we heard from a number of witnesses, both from inside and outside government, regarding China’s growing global influence and its energy policy.

Today we will continue to assess China’s approach to certain regions, specifically Europe; Northeast, Southeast, and South Asia; and the successor states to the Soviet Union.

China’s growing influence in and ties to these regions have raised serious concerns in the minds of U.S. policymakers. Today’s panels will address these matters. For example, China’s large purchases of weapons systems and arms from Russia have strategic implications not only for the U.S. but for other nations in close proximity to China as well. Some of these are part of America’s alliance system; all are important for the maintenance of Asian stability.

The panels will also address important U.S. interests that are in play in China’s relationships with countries in these regions. In South Asia, for example, it is important that we try to ensure that China’s considerable influence with Pakistan is used to lessen rather than heighten regional tensions.

I now would like to begin today’s portion of this hearing by welcoming Doctors Robin Niblett and Christopher Dent.