This strategy requires several major initiatives. Sanctioning all 2,300 members of China’s rubber-stamp legislature—the National People’s Congress (NPC)—would be a great start. Here’s why.
Finding and freezing the U.S.-based assets of all 2,300 NPC members and their families likely would uncover a host of illegalities, for example, cash smuggled into the United States. NPC members suspected of such crimes could be prosecuted (in absentia, if necessary). Those convicted would have their funds seized. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the CCP’s immoral actions finally would injure their co-conspirators. China’s suddenly impoverished members of Congress then would focus their rage on Xi.
Second, Chinese citizens will applaud this non-military initiative. They know or at least suspect that senior leaders in Beijing are corrupt, malicious, and deserve to lose their ill-gotten assets, which too often are stashed overseas. After all, normal Chinese are not wealthy enough to own condos in Irvine, California, or enroll their children at Stanford or MIT. While everyday Chinese are pleased with the higher standard of living they have enjoyed over the last 20 years, they resent the featherbedding of their sticky-fingered overlords.
Impoverishing Beijing’s thieves should enjoy widespread support among China’s citizens. Those who successfully protested against the CCP’s harsh zero-COVID policy did make Xi back down. The United States must keep the Chinese people on our side as we launch these strategic initiatives. At the right time, China’s men and women will eventually pressure China’s National Congress members and then move on to push Xi in the right direction.
Third, the CCP will not take this sitting down. Among possible repercussions, Beijing will consider equivalent sanctions against U.S. officials. Fortunately, very few Americans own homes in China or have children on Chinese campuses. The CCP might ponder punishing Western companies. However, China’s economy is fragile and needs all the commerce it can get. Whatever Beijing’s response, all U.S. corporate executives in China are fully aware of the political and economic risks of being there. If this leads some to shift their assets and operations out of China, so much the better.
Ironically, U.S. companies that exit China would be following the paths of Chinese firms. “Many of these Chinese companies have set up factories in Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, etc.,” said one China-based American CEO. “They are all selling the hell out of these new factory locations. Really leaning into it. I was surprised ... actually shocked.”
Fourth, doing nothing, or the same as before, means more of the same. Sanctioning Chinese companies that manufactured components of that spy balloon that invaded America’s sovereignty is appropriate. But, as the Chinese say, this is “zhì biǎo búzhì běn.” This fixes the symptom, not the root cause. The real problem is the CCP, not the companies that stitched the balloon together or dangled surveillance gear from its underside. A strategy of reacting to events after they occur will not produce a meaningful outcome.
It is only through multiple meaningful initiatives that this strategic mission can be achieved. It is time for Western governments to send a clear message to those who keep Xi in power and help him commit his atrocities.
Say it loud: “Blacklist the 2,300!”
