‘China is not our enemy’: US House protesters reflect rising impatience with bipartisan rhetoric
- Anti-war group Code Pink highlights that frustration with status quo and recognition of high cost of conflict extend beyond seasoned China watchers
- Some argue for end to ‘self-fulfilling escalatory spiral’ in which politicians speak harshly on China to avoid appearing weak to voters
The highly anticipated evening event convened by the newly formed House panel, itself a reflection of alarm within the American government about China’s rise, was but one of about a dozen congressional hearings this year devoted wholly or in large part to the threat posed by Beijing.
Less than half an hour after committee chair Mike Gallagher framed the US struggle with China as “existential”, a woman dressed in pink held up a sign bearing the words “China is not our enemy”.
“I hate to interrupt,” she interjected as star witness and former US national security adviser Lieutenant General HR McMaster spoke. Most of her words were drowned out by McMaster’s remarks, but phrases like “we need cooperation, not competition” made it through to the prime-time audience.
Seconds after law enforcement ushered her out of the room, a man stood up holding a “Stop Asian hate” sign.
“This committee is about sabre-rattling,” the protester declared. “It’s not about peace. We need cooperation.”