Rep. Collins: China's Communists Must Be Hit at Money Source

The Chinese Communist Party has shown itself as an authoritarian regime for years, and pending legislation the U.S. will impose sanctions if it doesn't come clean with the international community concerning the beginnings of the coronavirus pandemic, as attacking the country's money sources is the way to get it to cooperate, Rep. Doug Collins said Tuesday. 

"If they don't come clean with the international community, if they don't release the Hong Kong dissidents, then we're going to put asset freezes on the top officials, limit their travel. We're going to limit their access to financial markets here in the United States and international communities, putting pressure on them," the Georgia Republican said on Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria." "That's the way you get back at them on this issue."

His comments followed an interview with Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who told show host Maria Bartiromo that President Donald Trump can help Hong Kong retain its autonomy from China, which has introduced new national security legislation on the country that will give the Communist Party more control, by blocking the sale of technology products to China.

"Jimmy is amazing," Collins said. "That is a patriot, somebody standing for freedom." 

There are several bills calling for accountability from China, but Collins said his bill goes after top leaders and their money. 

"They don't care about human rights," he said. "They abuse their own people. We saw it with the virus epidemic and the pandemic breakout. They know that to maintain a world standard and the power they have, they have to have the economic standing, access to liquidity, and capital. That's where you have to hit them to get their attention. That's why President Trump has done such a great job getting their attention on trade. He went to where they needed to be hit, which is in the pocketbook."

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