US lawmakers debate China strategy; balance security, civil liberties

Washington, June 27 US lawmakers and national security experts this week agreed that China poses one of America’s most significant strategic challenges, but differed over how Washington should respond without undermining civil liberties, academic openness and the country’s ability to attract global talent. The debate unfolded during a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, where witnesses discussed issues ranging from technology theft and foreign investment to university research, counter-intelligence and immigration. Former Acting Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency David Shedd argued that the United States needed to do more to protect sensitive technologies while…