Hearings Archives

This roundtable will examine Chinese views on the likelihood of various potential North Korean contingencies, how China could play a role in the lead-up to or unfolding of such contingencies, and implications for the United States and the region. This roundtable will explore the following: (1) Chinese thinking about potential crises and contingencies involving North Korea; (2) what the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and other stakeholders are doing to prepare for these various scenarios; (3) Chinese diplomatic activities in this area; and (4) geopolitical and security implications for the United States.

This hearing will explore Beijing’s objectives in its relations with U.S. allies and partners in Europe and the Asia Pacific and the means by which Beijing seeks to achieve those objectives. It will examine how Beijing employs and integrates various elements of its national power to influence these countries, these countries’ responses toBeijing’s efforts, and the implications for the United States’ interests and its relations with its European and Asia Pacific allies and partners.

This hearing will compare and contrast U.S. and Chinese pursuit of next generation connected devices and networks and the implications for U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The hearing will focus on U.S. and Chinese 5th generation wireless technology (5G) and Internet of Things standards and technology development, U.S. usage of Chinese Internet of Things technologies and 5G networks, and the ability of Chinese firms to collect and utilize data from U.S. consumers through Internet of Things technologies.

The Commission’s February hearing on “China’s Military Reforms and Modernization: Implications for the United States” will provide insight into how China’s ongoing military reform efforts and President Xi’s vision for achieving the “China Dream” are shaping PLA long-term defense planning, weapons development, and acquisition programs. The hearing will specifically assess the political and security drivers shaping China’s military modernization efforts; the reformed Central Military Commission’s role in coordinating modernization priorities with the military services; the development of forces capable of conducting joint operations; and implications for the United States.

This hearing will assess the status of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) five years on, focusing on its economic, military, and geostrategic drivers and implications, as well as regional reactions and competing visions for regional connectivity. It will also explore how BRI impacts U.S. economic and national security interests.

This roundtable will examine three interrelated topics: the overall health of China’s economy, the impact of China’s economic slowdown on the global economic system, and the specific impact on the U.S. economy and the U.S.-China economic relationship. The roundtable will be co-chaired by Vice Chairman Dennis Shea and Commissioner Michael Wessel.

China’s rebalancing to a more consumption-driven economy presents opportunities for U.S. companies in the e-commerce, logistics, and financial services sectors. At the same time, U.S. service industries operating in and exporting to China continue to face significant market access challenges, including informal bans on entry, caps on foreign equity, high capital requirements, and data localization policies. This hearing will examine recent developments in China’s e-commerce, logistics, and financial services sectors and identify opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies.

This hearing will investigate China’s relations with Northeast Asia (North Korea, South Korea, and Japan) and Continental Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia). Its investigation of issues in Northeast Asia will focus on the effect of tensions on the Korean Peninsula on China’s bilateral relationships and approach to the region as a whole. Its investigation of issues in Continental Southeast Asia will focus on China’s economic engagement with the region; regional countries’ response to China’s economic engagement; and China’s role in the security dynamics of the region.

This hearing will examine the effectiveness of Chinese censorship mechanisms as well the current reliability of censorship circumvention methods and the implications for the United States of China’s attempts to export its information control practices. It will also address China’s soft power strategy to influence media globally, especially its influence over entertainment and journalism, and it will assess the degree of freedom currently allowed to Chinese and foreign reporters in China. Finally, it will address trends in the regulation of cyberspace, the international implications of China’s concept of Internet sovereignty, and China’s computer network operations doctrine, including how Chinese strategists conceptualize deterrence in cyberspace.

This hearing will discuss Beijing’s perceived security concerns regarding Taiwan, the East China Sea (Senkaku Islands), as well as challenges to China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. These areas are “regional hotspots” for which the People's Liberation Army is actively preparing for contingencies that could result in armed conflicts between China and U.S. allies, friends, and partners in the Asia Pacific region which could or, in the case of an ally, would result in a diplomatic or military response by the United States. The hearing will take place in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 419 at 9:30 AM on Thursday, April 13.