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RESTORING AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN ASIA

MARCO RUBIO’S REMARKS AT THE CHARLESTON METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORLD TRADE CENTER, AUGUST 28, 2015

“President Obama has hoped that being more open to China would make them a more responsible nation. It has not worked. We can no longer succumb to the illusion that more dialogue with China’s current rulers will narrow the gap in values and interests that separates us…Our nominee must have a plan to correct U.S.-China relations, and that is what I will offer today.”

The first goal will require restoring American Strength to ensure the United States remains a Pacific power.”
  • Restore defense spending and bolster power projection by increasing naval and aerial forces in the East and South China Seas and developing new technology to counter Chinese capabilities across all domains;
  • Conduct patrols through contested areas to challenge Chinese attempts to close off international waters and airspace and threaten freedom of navigation;
  • Enhance military and diplomatic cooperation with and between allies in East Asia and strengthen ties with regional democracies, including Taiwan.
“My second goal in relation to China is of particular relevance this week, and that is protecting the American economy.”
  • Finalize trade agreements that strengthen our strategic relationships in Asia;  
  • Insist that China end harmful economic practices that undermine the U.S. economy and restrict Beijing’s access to strategically sensitive technologies;
  • Respond to Chinese cyber aggression against American businesses and the U.S. government by showing Beijing that hacking will come with a cost.
Our third goal in relation to China concerns not just what we do, but who we are. We must stand on the side of freedom and human rights, both inside China and on its periphery.  It is our moral and strategic imperative.”
  • Instruct U.S. government officials to raise human rights issues in all meetings with their Chinese counterparts, visit unofficial churches in China, and impose sanctions and visa bans on Chinese officials who perpetrate grave human rights abuses;
  • Support the Chinese people’s demands for unrestricted Internet access;
  • Engage Chinese dissidents, reformers, and religious rights activists and reject Beijing’s attempts to limit our contact with them;
  • Invite Chinese dissidents and other freedom fighters around the world to be honored guests at Marco’s presidential inauguration.
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