United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D - Hawaii) issued the following statement on the bipartisan investigative report on Chinese espionage activities in the United States released by the House Select Committee chaired by Representative Christopher Cox (R-CA). Representative Cox and Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA) testified today before the Senate Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services. Senator Akaka is the ranking Democratic member on the panel.
"The House Select Committee, under the leadership of Mr. Cox and Mr. Dicks, has done the country a great national service in producing this report. The bipartisan manner in which the investigative committee conducted its analysis is an example to us all of the importance of placing bipartisanship above political interest for the sake of the our nation's security.
"I have been shocked by the extent of Chinese espionage efforts that have been exposed in the Cox report. I wish we could say that our own efforts and commitment to countering Chinese espionage were as relentless and as persistent as China's ongoing efforts to acquire information from us. I think this report has made an enormous contribution in rectifying that gap.
"The President and his entire Administration have taken major steps to reform security at national nuclear weapons laboratories and to improve our counter-intelligence capability. Many of these changes were ordered by the President in February 1998, well before the House Select Committee was formed; however, there is little doubt that additional measures were taken as the extent of Chinese espionage became apparent during the committee's review.
"Let me make two cautionary statements: First, there is a great deal of discussion now in Washington as to whom to blame for the security lapses. There is the usual round of finger-pointing and calls for this or that person to resign. Let me say that we should not waste our time searching for scapegoats. Only our enemies take solace when we turn on ourselves. Let us instead focus our attention on improving security and rooting out those guilty of betraying America. "Second, let us not sacrifice our efforts to build a constructive relationship with the Chinese people because of our collective horror at their government's perfidy. Much of what has occurred is to our shame for not being more vigilant.
"We need to engage China. We have issues and problems which can only be resolved by cooperation. These include bread and butter issues such as reducing our trade deficit and improving market accessibility for American products. They include international issues such as global warming and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"The Select Committee's report indicates that, despite international commitments to the contrary, China continues to proliferate weapons of mass destruction, providing missile and weapons technologies to other states. To convince China to cooperate with us in ending the threat of proliferation we will need to engage China. Our foreign visitor's program at the national laboratories has provided us with an opportunity to engage the Chinese on issues such as improving export controls. With enhanced restrictions, these programs should continue.
"But engagement is not a one-way street. China needs to demonstrate that it wants to engage the United States in a constructive and cooperative manner. China can choose to swamp us either with spies or with friends. The choice is theirs."
