US Congress loaded with anti-China fanatics: Analyst

US Congress is full of “anti-China fanatics” so it is not surprising that a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called on the Pentagon to compile and release an updated list of companies with ties to the Chinese military, operating in the United States, says American political analyst Mike Billington.

The group wrote a letter to Pentagon chief Mark Esper on Thursday, asking for the release of an updated list “as soon as possible” to “combat China’s economic espionage in the United States.”

Companies owned by Beijing “acquire American firms to transfer proprietary information,” among other tactics, read the letter.

“The fact that a group of Congress people are pushing an already-existing policy that the Pentagon list companies in China that are connected to the military is not unusual certainly not (with) a Congress which is absolutely loaded with anti-China fanatics,” Billington told Press TV on Friday.

“The British and the neocon crowd here are on an incredible warpath against China,” he added.

However, he suggested that the firing of former National Security Adviser John Bolton might lead to a partial agreement between the US and China.

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US President Donald Trump has fired National Security Adviser John Bolton.

“I think the main thing to note here is that within a few days just before and just after the firing of John Bolton, Trump has stated that he is possibly willing to have a partial agreement with China rather than all or nothing,” said Billington.

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Following the lawmakers’ letter, a Chinese embassy spokesperson called the accusations an example of a “cold-war mentality,” saying Beijing’s strategy aims to integrate the defense and economic sectors.

Back in August, the US blacklisted a major Chinese nuclear power company, a partner for the UK’s power generation program, over accusations of stealing US technology for military use.

As a result, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and three of its subsidiaries were placed on the commerce department’s “entity list.”

The US has also put Chinese telecoms company Huawei on the same list since May, even as it has failed to provide any evidence to support espionage allegations.

The push by US lawmakers comes after reports that Beijing and Washington are trying to calm tensions before a new round of talks on tariffs next month.

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