The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday (23rd) that it would end the “China Initiative” promoted by former President Donald Trump, moving from a strategy that focused on Chinese espionage and property theft to a broad response. Threats posed by hostile states.
Matt Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, said that the move is the same as acknowledging that the United States has been overly limited to dealing with China. Although it is still concerned regarding the major threats posed by the Chinese government, it is not the right way. In addition to China, Russia Countries such as China, Iran and North Korea have acted more aggressively than ever, and the new strategy will depend on where the threat lies.
In order to combat Chinese espionage and protect American technology from being stolen by China, the Department of Justice launched the China Action Plan at the end of 2018. Under the plan, at least 20 researchers in academia have been indicted.
Critics see the Trump-era policy as promoting racial profiling, which has created a culture of fear that fuels anti-Asian sentiment in American society and affects scientific research.
Olsen argues that any perception that the Justice Department uses different standards for different races, in addition to undermining the Justice Department’s efforts, will also hurt society at large.
As he wraps up the China Action Plan, Olsen said that he will continue to move forward with ongoing litigation, and will adopt higher standards and stricter oversight in the future. When it comes to cases involving researchers, the Justice Department will not give up any available tools. , will continue to protect national security from Chinese aggression.
Going forward, the Department of Justice’s new strategy will focus on several core areas, such as countering threats posed by espionage, export controls and sanctions violations, protecting corporate intellectual property and defending democracy.
