The Caucus Papers

Congressman Forbes has compiled “The Caucus Papers,” a booklet designed to be a clearinghouse of information to assist policymakers and interested individuals in understanding the issues facing the United States in its relationships with China. Congressman Forbes is Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus.

Read more.

Subscribe to “Caucus Brief” Get the latest on China each morning with the “Caucus Brief” email. More...

China Military and Security Timeline This comprehensive chronological timeline provides information on China’s military developments. More...

China Global Issue: Human Rights The issue of human rights in China is intensifying as China clamps down on dissidents and activists. More...

Urged the State Department aid Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng in safely traveling to the United States. Congressman Forbes joined 13 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express his grave concern for the safety and wellbeing of Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng and his hope that the Department of State will act quickly to bring Mr. Chen to safety in the United States. Mr. Chen is a well known human rights activist who played a crucial role in telling the world of the horrific forced abortions and sterilizations being perpetrated by the Chinese government in support of the one-child policy. Mr. Chen, who has been blind since childhood, escaped house arrest after years of imprisonment, torture and abuse at the hands of China’s police and internal security. After this daring escape, Mr. Chen sought aid at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and has requested help in escaping China and the authority of the Chinese Communist Party. Congressman Forbes urged the Secretary of State to uphold the principles of the United States in supporting Mr. Chen’s right to live in safety.

Highlighted the Challenges Posed by Chinese Military Modernization: As Co-Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus, Congressman Forbes directed an effort to call attention to China’s rapid military modernization and strengthen the ability of the U.S. military to meet this challenge. Congressman Forbes' worked to strengthen of the annual military power report on China, direct the DoD to further develop its policies for deterring aggression through closer examination of military strategies and capabilities that impose disproportionate costs on potential adversaries such as Iran and China, and enhance the readiness of our military for operating in a communications-denied environment.

Co-Hosted Congressional Briefing On China’s Cyber Capabilities.  Congressman Forbes and Congresswoman Bordallo.  the co-chairs of the Congressional China Caucus, joined the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) in hosting a Congressional briefing on “China’s Cyber Capabilities and Cyber Espionage.”  This report concluded that China is actively developing a more robust cyber capability while targeting sensitive U.S. defense systems.  Congressional staffers, government experts and interested researchers were invited to ask the report’s authors and USCC representatives questions on the implications of these findings, as well as their personal expectations for China’s future cyber capabilities

Demanded justice for thousands hurt by Chinese drywall.  Congressman Forbes joined Reps. Rob Wittman, Scott Rigell and Bobby Scott, in introducing H.R. 4212, the Contaminated Drywall Safety Act of 2012. This bill declares that drywall manufactured in China is imminently hazardous and a banned hazardous substance.  The bill also urges the U.S. State Department to work to ensure that Chinese manufacturers are held accountable for the damage that they have done through their harmful products.  Thousands of Americans have been forced out of their homes through no fault of their own as a result of this contaminated drywall from China.

Condemned China’s use of force in the South China Sea.  Congressman Forbes became an original cosponsor of H.Res.352 to condemn the People’s Republic of China’s behavior in asserting its extra-legal territorial claims in the South China Sea.  The South China Sea serves as one of the world’s most vital commercial shipping lanes and a maritime lifeline to Taiwan, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula.  Maintaining freedom of the seas in the South China Sea is an economic and strategic imperative for the United States.  In recent months, China, which claims almost the entirety of the sea, has begun enforcing its disputed claims by force.  Congressman Forbes joined 25 of his colleagues in the House in calling for a peaceful resolution to maritime territorial disputes and reaffirming support for United States Armed Forces operations in support of freedom of navigation rights in international waters and air space in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Yellow Sea.

Called on Secretary Gates to submit overdue military power report on China.  Congressman Forbes sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Gates urging the Department of Defense to release the overdue annual report on the military power of the People’s Republic of China.  The Secretary of Defense is required to submit the report by March 1, each year.  Now two months late, Congress is beginning the process of authorizing appropriations for the Department of Defense without the Department’s perspective on the Chinese military.  Since the delayed submission of last year’s report, China has made considerable advancements in military capability.  These advancements include their first stealth jet fighter, an anti-ship ballistic missile that can target U.S. aircraft carriers, and the near completion of the nation’s first aircraft carrier.  Congressman Forbes continues to insist that Secretary Gates, as the head of the Department of Defense, provide legally mandated timely reports to Congress on the current and future threats facing our nation. Read the letter here.

Supported Governor McDonnell’s efforts in Asia.  Congressman Forbes joined his colleagues from the Virginia Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to the United States, asking the Ambassador to convey their support for Governor McDonnell’s efforts to remove devastating bans on poultry and lumber exports from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Gov. McDonnell is currently in the midst of a trade mission to Asia where he will meet with officials from the Chinese government to discuss the removal of these bans.  Congressman Forbes has been actively pursuing the removal of these unwarranted bans since their inception and supports the Governor’s actions while in Asia.  Read the letter here.

Raised awareness about China’s latest defense plans.  Congressman Forbes made sure that his colleagues in Congress were informed about the release of China’s newest defense white paper.  These white papers, which are analogous to our U.S. National Security Strategy documents, are released every two years and outline China’s military goals and development priorities.  After collecting the analysis of a number of experts in Chinese military issues, Congressman Forbes sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter that concisely explained the paper’s most important revelations about China’s military intent and its capabilities. Read more about the defense white paper the “Dear Colleague” letter here.

Urged President Obama to Discuss Chinese Drywall With Hu Jintao.  Congressman Forbes joined Reps. Wittman, Scott, and Rigell, in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to discuss with Chinese President Hu Jintao the need for greater accountability from the manufacturers of toxic Chinese drywall, which has had a devastating effect on countless homes across our nation and in communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Over 3,700 reports have been filed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission from residents in over 41 states regarding the corrosion of metal components found in drywall that was produced in China.

Called for China to be a Transparent, Responsible Global Participant. Congressman Forbes was briefed on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2009 Report to Congress. This year’s report highlights that fact that China remains the most aggressive country conducting espionage against the United States. They lack regard for transparency, product safety, and intellectual property rights, and their currency manipulation has greatly contributed to global trading imbalances. Read Congressman Forbes’ remarks on the report here. 

Voted to support H.Res. 1370, which calls on the Chinese government to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens.  The resolution also calls for the Chinese government to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness. 

Spoke on the House floor in support of H. Res. 1263, a resolution alerting Congress of the threats posed by China-based computer hackers.  Information contained on the computers of several Members of Congress and the House Foreign Affairs Committee has recently been compromised by hackers working in China.  This resolution makes Congress aware of the potential threats to their electronic information.  In addition to joining Mr. Frank Wolf in speaking on the resolution, Mr. Forbes has introduced H.R. 3806, the S.P.I.E.S. Act, to strengthen laws against these serious foreign espionage threats. 

Supported H.Res. 1077, which calls on China to end its crackdown in Tibet and work in dialogue with the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans.

Was interviewed by CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight and Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room on the growing threat Chinese espionage poses to the United States.  The interviews followed a hearing on January 29, 2008 that Congressman Forbes requested in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.  At the hearing, espionage experts shared their views on how China has become the number one espionage threat to the United States.  Congressman Forbes is Co-Chairman and Founder of the Congressional China Caucus.  To learn more about the hearing, click here.

Joined House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton in leading a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to China. The delegation met with Chinese military leaders and other top officials. Priorities for Congressman Forbes included gathering information and obtaining answers about China’s military build-up, religious freedom, human rights concerns, and product safety issues, particularly with regard to recent recalls of consumer goods and food imported from China.

Voted in favor of H. Res. 552, a resolution that calls on the government of the People's Republic of China to remove barriers to United States financial services firms doing business in China. H. Res. 552 expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately implement all of its World Trade Organization commitments to date in financial services and calls on them to implement their commitments made during the Strategic Economic Dialogue initiated by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Signed a letter to the government of China encouraging them to urge Sudanese cooperation in Darfur. Congressman Forbes joined the Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee and other Members of Congress in asking China to use its influence with the government of Sudan to allow U.N. peacekeepers into Darfur. Under the United Nations Charter, peacekeeping troops may not enter a nation without the nation's support. Since fighting began in the troubled region of Sudan, tens of thousands of people have died and approximately 2 million citizens have been displaced. After receiving the letter, China announced the appointment of a special envoy dedicated to the Darfur crisis to help in resolving the conflict.

Joined Congressional China Caucus Co-Chairwoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo in a letter to congratulate Admiral Timothy J. Keating on assuming command of the United States Pacific Command. In addition, Congressman Forbes and Congresswoman Bordallo extended an invitation for Admiral Keating to meet with the Congressional China Caucus to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the People's Republic of China to United States' national security. Maintaining high level dialogue with the U.S. Pacific Command is critical in asserting good communications between the U.S. and China.

Met with Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong of the People's Republic of China as part of their ongoing efforts to maintain an open dialogue between U.S. and Chinese officials. Congressman Forbes expressed deep concern about China's recently-announced 18% increase in military spending and their stated intent to build an aircraft carrier by 2010. Shared areas of concern were also discussed, including health care reform, HIV/AIDS and retirement planning. The Ambassador also provided Congressman Forbes with an update on the planning for the 2008 Olympics, which are being hosted by China.

Hosted a briefing by the RAND Corporation, in conjunction with the Congressional China Caucus, on their new report titled "Entering the Dragon's Lair: Chinese Antiaccess Strategies and Their Implications for the United States." For more information about this report, click here. Members of the audience included representatives from the Department of Defense, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Navy, the Congressional Research Service, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Spoke out on China's recent developments in their military modernization.

• Called for transparency on China's intentions following their announcement of an 18 percent military budget increase.
• Questioned China's military objectives after a Hong Kong newspaper reported that a Chinese general announced plans to build a naval aircraft carrier by 2010.