Bills introduced in US Congress to counter growing Chinese influence

Several US Republican lawmakers have introduced more than a dozen bills in Congress to counter the growing Chinese influence in the country and to protect America's critical infrastructure.The relations between the US and China are at an all-time low. The two countries are currently engaged in a bitter confrontation over various issues, including trade, the origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the communist giant's aggressive military moves in the disputed South China Sea and human rights.The bills were introduced in Congress on Thursday.Separately, Senator Rick Scott reintroduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act, sponsored by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler in the US House of Representatives, to protect Taiwan from Communist China's growing aggression.

The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act further reinforces the US-Taiwan relationship and strengthens Taiwan's ability to resist Communist China's aggressive policies and military actions. China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force.Congressmen Young Kim and Brad Sherman led a bipartisan effort to help Taiwan regain its status as an observer in the World Health Organisation (WHO).Taiwan had observer status from 2009 until 2017 when its status was revoked due to pressure from the People's Republic of China. Congressman Ronny Jackson introduced the Opposing Business with Chinese Military Companies Act.This legislative effort is a part of a broad push by the Republican Study Committee, the House's largest Republican caucus, aimed at carrying on President Trump's legacy of standing up to the Chinese Communist Party, a media release said.