China Experts Allegedly Withdrew From Congressional Hearing Over Fear of CCP Backlash

Multiple potential witnesses pulled out of a congressional committee hearing on U.S.–China economic relations because of fear of backlash from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets. Sherman made the disclosure at the outset of the Oct. 26 hearing, which was convened to examine risks to U.S. investors posed by Chinese companies and other foreign issuers. “We have great witnesses here today, but the most articulate witnesses are those who are not here today,” he said. “Their decision to pull out of this hearing due to pressure—economic pressure—speaks loudly to China’s strong economic power over politics and economics here in the United States.” Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), the ranking Republican on the committee, expressed shock at Sherman’s assertion, asking for more details. Sherman declined to identify the potential witnesses, but indicated they come from the …