China ‘coercion, corruption, expansionism’ blasted in House-hosted security forum

Flag of China (Unsplash)

Security experts and former lawmakers from the United States (US) have sharply criticized China’s escalating military aggression, economic coercion, and covert political interference in democracies worldwide.

Former US congressman Robert Pittenger, US Senator Bill Cassidy, and former Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger delivered these tirades during their participation at the 27th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) hosted by the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City.

PI-SF’s founder Pittenger in particular described China as a key enabler of authoritarian regimes.

“We have many challenges in the world today, spawned in large part by the nemesis in this region—China,” he said. “For each of those threats and challenges we have, much of their commitment, their support, their investment comes from China. We all understand that.”

Pittenger pointed to China’s economic and military ties with Iran, North Korea, and Russia, and warned that its backing of these nations fuels conflicts and emboldens authoritarian leaders.

He also highlighted Beijing’s alleged use of cyber warfare, economic extortion, and illicit financial networks to exert political control over vulnerable nations.

“This mission began 10 years ago with the sole purpose of providing information so that you could make good decisions,” Pittenger said, as he urged for stronger intelligence-sharing and economic penalties against Beijing.

Corruption weaponized

Cassidy, in a video message, accused China of weaponizing corruption to subvert democracies.

“One of the main reasons we’re at odds with China is because they do not respect international rules, principles, or norms. The values that every freedom-loving people in society accept, they disregard,” he said.

Cassidy warned that China co-opts foreign leaders through illicit financial incentives, making them economically dependent.

“The CCP targets vulnerable nations, offering investments in infrastructure and development projects, only to later weaponize them as leverage for geopolitical control,” he added.

Cassidy noted that the Philippines has been a primary target of China’s expansionist tactics. Beijing’s illegal incursions into the West Philippine Sea (WPS), its militarization of artificial islands, and its harassment of Filipino fishermen have fueled outrage in Manila, he noted.

Cassidy also pointed to China’s widespread use of debt-trap diplomacy, manipulating governments in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia through massive infrastructure loans.

“There would never be a war with China that the Philippines would be unable to win,” Cassidy declared, as he underscored the importance of strong international alliances in countering China’s aggression.

‘Silent Cold War’

Pottinger described China’s strategy as a silent Cold War, using disinformation, economic dependency, and military intimidation to subvert democratic values.

“For too long, we have indulged the fantasy that economic engagement would liberalize China. Instead, Beijing has exploited, outmaneuvered, and undermined democracies to serve its authoritarian ambitions,” he said.

Pottinger criticized China’s handling of Covid-19. He argued that Beijing’s cover-up of the Wuhan outbreak led to a global catastrophe.

He also condemned China’s intellectual property theft, predatory trade policies, and environmental destruction, calling China the world’s largest polluter.

Pottinger warned of China’s deep ties with authoritarian states, and cited Beijing’s “no-limits” pact with Vladimir Putin just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He further accused China of fueling Moscow’s military ambitions while also preparing for potential military action against Taiwan.

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A call to counter China

The forum’s speakers called for immediate action to counter China’s influence.

Pottinger urged democratic nations to strengthen military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, restrict China’s access to Western technology and capital, ban CCP-controlled platforms like TikTok and WeChat, and reinforce economic and political alliances to push back against Beijing’s coercion.

“Beijing’s messaging is carefully crafted deception: a public call for peace, while covertly fueling war,” he warned.

Cassidy stressed the need for stronger anti-corruption policies, and urged democratic leaders to resist China’s economic enticements and expose its influence operations.

“It is not enough to simply denounce corruption. We must take concrete action to punish those who engage in it and ensure that governments and institutions are held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability,” he said.