My father’s conviction is Beijing’s litmus test for Washington
My father’s conviction is Beijing’s litmus test for Washington: Will the U.S. stand firm in favor of freedom? This case is not an isolated legal matter; it’s a political signal from Beijing about how far it will reach to silence dissent. The stakes are both personal and geopolitical, and they demand a clear response from American leaders.
Beijing’s willingness to prosecute a foreign national sends a message to dissidents and to governments alike that it expects deference. That kind of reach undermines the rule of law and chills opposition inside and outside China. If Washington shrugs, it normalizes transnational repression as acceptable statecraft.
From a Republican standpoint, America should answer with resolve, not rhetoric. That means targeted sanctions, visa restrictions, and coordinated pressure that hits Chinese officials responsible for abuses. Words matter, but they must be backed by tangible costs that change behavior.
We can’t let economic convenience trump core values. Too often policymakers talk tough while protecting market access for American companies that quietly accept Beijing’s terms. That approach weakens our leverage and signals that trade is more important than liberty.
Practical tools exist and should be used: expand Magnitsky-style sanctions, blacklist individuals and entities involved in repression, and enforce export controls on dual-use tech. Strengthening oversight of U.S. investments that enable surveillance or detention technologies is essential. This is about deterrence through consequences.
Support for victims and their families has to be a priority. Offer consular support, legal resources, and safe pathways for asylum when warranted, while amplifying stories abroad so Beijing can’t bury them. Standing with people targeted by authoritarian regimes shows American leadership in a concrete way.
Diplomacy matters, but it should be done with allies, not solo. Work with partners in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and democratic institutions to present a unified front that’s harder for Beijing to ignore or divide. Coalitions increase the cost of repression and legitimize pressure on bad actors.
On the economic front, selective decoupling is smart policy, not isolationism. Protect critical supply chains, restrict sensitive technology transfers, and hold multinational firms accountable for enabling repression. Markets should operate under rules that reflect American strategic and moral priorities.
There’s a domestic dimension too: voters expect their leaders to protect our values and citizens, even when it strains relations with powerful rivals. Weak responses risk emboldening Beijing and endangering Americans abroad. A clear, consistent policy signals that the U.S. will defend freedom wherever it is threatened.
This moment requires resolve and clear strategy rather than wishful thinking. The consequences of inaction will be worse than the short-term discomfort of confronting Beijing. Washington should act in defense of liberty—firm, principled, and prepared to follow through.