The Chinese are looking to exploit any weakness they can find.
One glaring vulnerability when overlooked under Joe Biden.
And a top Republican sounded the alarm on one hidden threat from China on the coasts.
Republican lawmakers warn of a Chinese communist threat to ports
Chinese government-owned COSCO Shipping Lines is one of the largest shipping container companies in the world.
The company is responsible for moving much of the trade from China to the United States.
COSCO isn’t an ordinary shipping company delivering the latest gizmo from overseas.
The Department of Defense added it to its list of “Chinese Military Companies” for its work with the People’s Liberation Army.
COSCO is a “significant” national security threat that could conduct “espionage, cyber intrusions, sabotage, and supply chain disruptions.”
The House Committee on Homeland Security and House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party asked acting U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday to protect American ports against COSCO in a letter.
“Permitting vessels and personnel affiliated with COSCO SHIPPING to operate within U.S. ports without adequate safeguards exposes the nation to unacceptable risks, particularly during times of increased geopolitical tension,” the letter stated. “As the lead federal agency for maritime security, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) must take decisive action to mitigate these risks.”
The letter added that the Chinese government-owned company already has “expansive operations” at American ports.
China uses deception as a key strategy
China uses private companies as secret fronts for its military and intelligence operations as part of its “Military-Civil Fusion Strategy,” according to the letter.
The State Department claimed that the People’s Liberation Army uses universities, businesses, and research programs that appear to be harmless civilian operations but also engage in “classified military R&D and weapons production.”
House Republicans warned that COSCO ships often have Chinese Communist Party (CCP) political commissars onboard as members of the crew.
COSCO Shipping CEO Wan Min is a member of the CCP and the company’s website boasts about its support of “Party building.”
The letter warned that the Coast Guard should confirm the identities of crew members of the company’s ships entering American ports.
“As the lead federal agency for maritime security, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) must take decisive action to mitigate these risks. Achieving this goal will require a thorough assessment and strengthening of current USCG protocols for screening vessels, owners, and crew members associated with COSCO SHIPPING and other entities linked to the PLA or the PRC’s security and intelligence services,” the letter explained.
Coast Guard officials were urged to have great cooperation with other federal agencies about the threat posed by COSCO.
China is the third largest trading partner with the United States behind Mexico and Canada.
The vast amount of goods that are shipped from China to American ports are being carried by foreign-owned and operated ships.
China’s expansive trading relationship with the United States could be a way for the communist government to get the camel’s nose under the tent for nefarious activity.
