English
The Cold War between China and the United States is not a secret and is quite visible, even though both countries try to hide it. Amid all this, America has developed a weapon that is giving Beijing sleepless nights. It is not the F-35 fighter jet or any nuclear attack submarine, nor is it tariffs. It is actually Public Law 117-263—also termed the National Defence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023—passed by the US Congress in December 2022.
Particularly, Section 6501 is of the greatest concern to Xi Jinping. It is titled “Report on the Wealth and Corrupt Activities of the Chinese Communist Party.” According to the law, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, will publicly provide an open report on the assets and corrupt activities of the Communist Party leadership.
The measure has figures that include the “General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party” – that is, Xi Jinping – “and senior leadership officials of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Politburo Standing Committee, and any other regional Party secretaries.” These are people who are very important in the top leadership of the CCP party. If we compare all the steps taken by the US government, this move directly affects the high command of the Communist Party of China.
Explaining the CCP leadership’s immense wealth, including overseas bank accounts, businesses, and real estate, is difficult and dangerous, especially with Jinping asking Chinese citizens to “endure bitterness”.
The 600 million Chinese who live on Rs 630 a day and the large number who live on even less may not be able to understand it.
Corruption – which is a natural part of any communist party – has the power to bring down the Jinping-led party. Notably, corruption in China was one of the prime reasons why the Nationalist, or Kuomintang, regime of Free China lost to Mao’s Communists in 1949 and Xi knows this well.
In 2012, Bloomberg and the New York Times published articles about high-ranking officials of the CCP, including Jinping’s relatives. The CCP’s response was so intense that Bloomberg had to bow out to protect its business in China, and the New York Times backed down.
However,the American intelligence community, with an annual budget of USD 100 billion, could possibly do better than even a small reporting team.
An article by retired US Marine Colonel Newsham in ‘The New York Sun’ highlights that Public Law 117-263, Section 6501, mandated then National Intelligence Director Avril Haines and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to prepare a report within one year. This report was due on December 23, 2023, but has not yet been released. Haines and Blinken have since transitioned to new roles. With a new administration now in place, there may be changes ahead. Senator Marco Rubio, who advocated for Section 6501, is currently serving as Secretary of State. Additionally, Tulsi Gabbard, appointed as National Intelligence Director by President Trump, might take a firmer stance compared to Haines, who previously owned a bookstore.
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