ANNUAL REPORT

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DISSENTING VIEWS OF
COMMISSIONER ROBIN CLEVELAND
While there is much to commend in the Commission’s 2016
reporting on Chinese security policy and programs, my dissent
derives from concern about an increasing tendency to confuse objective
fact with editorial opinion with regard to economic developments
in China. The Commission has a narrow mandate to examine
the national security implications of economic and trade issues.
Historically, the Commission’s credibility and service to the Congress
and the public has relied upon a careful and balanced slate
of expert witness testimony combined with superb staff research.
With few exceptions, report chapters and the related conclusions
have reflected a full, balanced presentation of issues which then
was followed by Commission recommendations based on interpretation
of the data. The chapters informed, the conclusions summarized,
and the recommendations offered an important editorial
perspective.
Regrettably, much of the content of the economic chapters now
reflects the personal judgments and interests of Commissioners unsupported
by testimony or fact. The drift away from objective and
reliable reporting damages the usefulness and value of the report.
As one example, the report missed an important opportunity to describe
the unprecedented change this year in virtually all global
leaders’ views regarding China’s stalled economic path and the
emerging consensus on the significant consequences of their failing
to move forward with reforms. Instead of a serious presentation of
the complex economic issues and options, the report places emphasis
on broken ‘‘promises’’ and what the CCP leadership ‘‘wants’’.
What they want is neither knowable nor as relevant as explaining
what most world leaders and scholars believe are the economic consequences—both
in China and globally—if the Chinese government
fails to do what needs to be done.
Not only does the report fall short in presenting a thoughtful and
complete economic picture, there are recommendations which
appear to bear no relationship to the content of the report. For example,
with no reference to witness testimony, external reports or
explanatory data, the Commission recommends Congress use the
CFIUS process to bar all Chinese state owned enterprises from acquiring
US companies. Perhaps it makes sense to enhance the
CFIUS process in a meaningful way to protect American national
security interests, but this recommendation seems to rely on demonizing
the Chinese without any consideration or presentation of
the incentives or risks of such a course.
Leaders from around the world and every realm including NGOs,
business and politics, have been deeply and increasingly critical of
the continued deterioration on every front in China. Free enterprise
is as much in peril as free speech. The criticism and concern
are well deserved, but to develop solutions, the entire picture must
be understood and presented for debate. When China spends nearly
$8 billion to buy 80 U.S. manufactured commercial aircraft as they
did in October, American jobs, trade and economic interests demand
every effort be made to understand how best to make a key
relationship work to mutual benefit. Dismissing that relationship
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