Jonathan Stivers

US Director, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation @thecfhk • Commissioner @USCC_Gov • fmr Staff Director @CmteOnCCPDems @CECCgov

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Disturbing new development that Chinese officials have abducted a US citizen in China. This can’t be allowed to be normalized. A swift and strong response from the administration is necessary

[Edward Wong @ewong]

NEW: China arrested a US citizen after Trump met with Xi in Beijing and accused him of endangering national security — a rare charge against an American. The detainee, U Min Zin, is a grad student at @UCBerkeley who researches Myanmar. This adds a new strain to US-China ties.

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

A reminder that while the US focused on summits and strategic dialogues, China was quietly executing a decades-long plan to use rare earth minerals to compel & coerce the US & other countries. “Engagement” is not a substitute for serious policy

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Of course there is evidence going back to Deng Xiaoping. Back in 2010 @USCC_GOV produced a report for Congress, "China's Rare Earths Industry & its Role in the International Market" tracing how China's monopoly was deliberately constructed @RushDoshi https://t.co/MMniNregLh

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Of course there is evidence going back to Deng Xiaoping. Back in 2010 @USCC_GOV produced a report for Congress, "China's Rare Earths Industry & its Role in the International Market" tracing how China's monopoly was deliberately constructed @RushDoshi https://t.co/MMniNregLh

[Lewis Jackson @lewjackk]

Respectfully, both can be true. China weaponized its RE dominance but it was in a position to do so because of the industry's growth through the 80s/90s/00s, not all of which was the product of a grand plan to build a trade war weapon. 🧵

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

June 4th candles at the US Consulate in Hong Kong. A simple gesture, but in a place where free speech & commemoration lands you in prison, the message is anything but small. We remember. We stand with you.

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Another bullying escalation by Beijing to change the status quo. @HouseForeignGOP @SenateForeign @ChinaSelect @RepBrianBabin should respond by establishing a US-Taiwan Parliamentary Exchange similar to UK, Canada & Mexico. Establish it in law & include trilateral exchanges

[Phelim Kine “老 康“ @PhelimKine]

Beijing imposing sanctions on foreign lawmakers for merely visiting Taiwan is a serious step-up in its diplomatic strangulation campaign against the island https://t.co/FI65hjPwKT

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Hong Kong is THE global hub for finance, arms & restricted technology to Iran & Russia. If the US is serious about curbing support for those regimes, it should sanction HK banks & pass the Stop CCP Money Laundering Act @SenJohnCurtis @SenJeffMerkley @RepJoeWilson @RepJimmyPanetta

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

On point piece from @JillianKayM on why Hong Kong is pivotal if the United States really wants to stop the illicit flow of money, oil, and weapons components to authoritarian regimes.

Quoting new reports from @thecfhk and @CSR_Institute, the @WSJopinion piece urges the U.S. to consider sanctioning the corporate registry and logistics firms that enable illicit traders to operate through Hong Kong with impunity.

"Capitalism under the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian shadow is lawless capitalism. As Hong Kong has become more like China, it’s no surprise adversaries see it as a hub for illicit business."

#HongKong #Venezuela #IranWar‌ #Russia

https://t.co/aHsTejtn6c

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

US presidents should be able to talk to whomever they want - ally, partner, adversary - without regard to nonsensical threats from Beijing. Long past time to change US policy and I hope it happens

[Rapid Response 47 @RapidResponse47]

"Do you have any plans to call President Lai of Taiwan before you make a decision on the weapons package?"

@POTUS: "I'll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand. We had a great meeting with President Xi... we'll work on that, the Taiwan problem."

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Granting concessions for the mere *privilege* of meeting Chinese officials isn’t diplomacy. It’s tribute. And it’s a prime example of what’s broken about US-China policy. These meetings are just as much in China’s interest & US officials shouldn’t look like they are begging.

[Demetri @AsiaLens]

SCOOP China is holding up Pentagon’s Bridge Colby @USWPColby visit to Beijing until gets clarity on how Trump will proceed with $14bn Taiwan arms sale 👇

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Horrifying that the US has successfully exported overuse of the word "strategic" to China. Magnitsky sanctions may be required to deter future use.

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

🔥Tonight, while @POTUS is in China for talks with Xi Jinping, both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed bipartisan resolutions calling on the president to secure the humanitarian release of political prisoners in China and Hong Kong, including Jimmy Lai. Both resolutions were passed unanimously.

PRESS RELEASE: https://t.co/EFG4aItcWy

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Pretty amazing that, while the President is on the ground in Beijing, both the House & Senate passed resolutions calling on him to bring home political prisoners. I don't know of many other issues that have elicited such an overwhelming show of support at this critical time

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

MORE BREAKING NEWS - The U.S. Senate passes another resolution by @SenatorDurbin @SenTedCruz calling on President Trump to secure the release of political prisoners in China including #FreeJimmyLai. The message is clear on this trip to China - No Deals Without Freedom!

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

This is interesting but the Chinese government and its affiliated entities LEGALLY hire big lobby and public affairs firms to gather information and cultivate influence in Congress. They are hiding in plain sight.

[Select Committee on China @ChinaSelect]

A would-be spy offered a staffer on @ChinaSelect $10,000 for insider information on U.S. policy.

Our staffer's response? Report it, document it, and expose it. As a Select Committee, we referred the matter to the @FBI after documenting the outreach and collecting call transcripts.

This is exactly why the Select Committee on China exists, to shine a light on the CCP’s efforts to infiltrate our institutions, and to fight to protect U.S. national security.

https://t.co/RIakAwmQDv

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Rally this morning at the White House. No Deals Without Freedom Chinese and Hong Kong Political Prisoners!

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

📢 RALLY: No Deals Without Freedom✊

As President Trump prepares to meet Xi Jinping, join us at the White House on May 11 at 10 a.m. to share one simple message: free political prisoners in China and Hong Kong.

President Trump has personally committed to #FreeJimmyLai. The Beijing summit is the moment to deliver and to press Xi to free all those unjustly detained across China and Hong Kong for speaking the truth and upholding their faith, including #PastorJinMingri, #PastorGaoQuanfu, Dr. #GulshanAbbas, and lawyer #DingJiaxi.

📅 Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m.
📍Lafayette Square (H St across from St. John's Church)
👌The event is permitted by DC MPD. Registration is not required, but it helps us estimate attendance and plan for the event. 👇

#FreePoliticalPrisoners #FreeJimmyLai #WashingtonDC #NoDealsWithoutFreedom #TrumpXiSummit #HongKong #China #JournalismIsNotACrime

🔗https://t.co/bp1iHmFsGt

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Great to see the House of Representatives consider this bipartisan resolution next week in advance of the President’s trip to China. Freedom for political prisoners in China and Hong Kong must be on the agenda #FreeJimmyLai

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

🚨BREAKING: In advance of #POTUS's trip to Beijing, the US House is scheduled to vote on a resolution calling for the release of political prisoners, including #JimmyLai, #PastorEzraJin & #GulshanAbbas. We are grateful for the bipartisan support for human rights in China and Hong Kong #FreeJimmyLai

https://t.co/6euBYBIkv3

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

A bipartisan group of over 100 members of congress are calling on President Trump to secure the release of Jimmy Lai while in China next week. Promises from Xi Jinping mean zero on any issue. Releasing political prisoners would be a significant action #FreeJimmyLai

[#FreeJimmyLai @SupportJimmyLai]

With the China summit days away, lawmakers are urging @POTUS to deliver on his pledge to free Jimmy Lai.

After five years in prison, it's time to bring Jimmy home.

https://t.co/KTlazppybQ

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

@ConnellyAL @marykissel @joemosch China makes many extreme & disproportionate threats that would be counter to their goals and interests. The US shouldn't cower & not defend itself when HKETOs harass and place bounties on US activists for speech in the US, not to mention the targeting of advocates in the UK

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) official found guilty of spying in the UK. Its long past time for @SecRubio to close down these offices in the US. HK is no longer free or autonomous & they don't deserve separate diplomatic status esp when they target US-based advocates

[BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking]

UK immigration officer among two men guilty of carrying out "shadow policing" on behalf of China in Britain https://t.co/iCR9sVxvuj

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

Disappointing that so many China watchers & journalists are missing a high priority of the President's upcoming trip to China. The President himself is publicly calling for the release of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. Strong bipartisan congressional push moving it to the forefront too

[Patricia M. Kim @patricia_m_kim]

Trade will dominate the Trump-Xi summit—but it won’t tell the whole story.

Sharing a few highlights from a longer analysis of 5 things to watch as Trump goes to Beijing 🧵 https://t.co/1pfzqkRqKT

[China Beige Book @ChinaBeigeBook]

"Goldman Sachs has stopped its bankers in Hong Kong from using #Anthropic’s #AI models, the latest sign of how the tech is brushing up against US-#China tensions...Employees of the Wall St bank in HK were unable to access Claude as of a few wks ago"
https://t.co/kbZNyiisf7

[Jonathan Stivers @jonstivers]

In 2024 @USCC_GOV recommended secondary "sanctions on Chinese financial institutions that violate sanctions, including those that are proven to be working with or supporting the Russian military industrial base or facilitating purchases of Iranian oil." https://t.co/HLaxIqUa5n

[Treasury Department @USTreasury]

Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury, maintaining maximum pressure on Iran. Financial institutions should be on notice that the department is leveraging the full range of available tools and authorities and is prepared to deploy secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Iran’s activities. The short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed.