As China continues to pursue its agenda of surpassing the United States both economically and militarily, a key strategy towards this goal is "civil-military fusion" (CMF). This strategy involves collaboration between the government, private sector, and civilian knowledge to augment the Chinese military. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have reintroduced a bill designed to counter China's CMF attempts in the United States.
More specifically, any funding towards partnerships or joint ventures between U.S. companies and Chinese "entities of concern" be cut off.
Additionally, these "entities of concern" would be targeted in a prohibition for any American "covered entity" to cooperate in scientific research or technological exchanges that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seek to weaponize as part of their civil-military fusion strategy.
In his press release, Sen. Rubio spoke of the threat posed by China and the urgency in countering their ambitions.
"The menace posed by the CCP remains a significant challenge which we must confront. At a time when China’s genocidal regime is actively working to advance its global ambitions and military development, we must target and impose barriers to commercial cooperation with Chinese entities of concern," said Sen. Rubio.
Similarly, Sen. Scott stated he has warned of China's ambitions "for years" and the ruthlessness through which they pursue their goals.
"For years, I have been warning of the threat from Communist China, which continues to steal U.S. technology and intellectual property in its quest for world domination. The CCP will do whatever it takes, including targeting American universities, to gain a military advantage over the United States. To protect our national security, this bill is essential, and I proudly stand with my colleagues as we work to get it passed," Sen. Scott stated.
Sen. Scott had previously said Americans must "wake up" to the fact that "Communist China is our enemy" in March.
Just a short while later, Sen. Rubio spoke at the Heritage Foundation, where he stated that the United States must update its foreign policy strategy for "a new Cold War" with the Chinese.
