Gallagher Presses DOJ on U.S. Trade Group, BIO, Lobbying on Behalf of Chinese Military-Linked Company
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding a U.S. trade group, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), lobbying on behalf of Wuxi Apptec, a Chinese company deeply entrenched with the People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party.
Chairman Gallagher asked Attorney General Garland to review BIO’s lobbying on behalf of WuXi Apptec in the context of the Foreign Agent Registration Act.
“BIO has undertaken a recent advocacy campaign against the BIOSECURE Act (H.R.7805), which I introduced in January 2024,” Chairman Gallagher wrote. “The BIOSECURE Act is intended to block foreign adversary biotechnology companies from accessing federal funds and exploiting the American bioeconomy. BIO member company WuXi Apptec is one of four entities identified by name in the legislation as a foreign adversary biotechnology company of concern.”
He continues, “BIO’s advocacy on behalf of WuXi Apptec – intended to protect the company’s access and commercial ties in the United States despite the risk to U.S. national security – is aligned with the interests of the CCP and the People’s Republic of China government.”
Chairman Gallagher requested that Attorney General Garland brief the Select Committee on the FARA applicability of BIO lobbying on WuXi Apptec’s behalf. He also asked the Attorney General to recommend legislative changes that would compel trade associations lobbying on behalf of companies that pose national security risks to register as foreign agents.
Read Chairman Gallagher's letter HERE.
Background:
On February 12, Chairman Gallagher led a coalition of bipartisan lawmakers outlining Wuxi Apptec’s extremely concerning ties to the Chinese military and Chinese government.
WuXi AppTec chairman has commended CCP branch work in the company and has called on Party branches and members to play an active role in the company.
WuXi Biologics CEO has linked the company’s success to local CCP support and pledged to work with Party officials to help reduce PRC reliance on foreign technologies in the field of biomedicine
WuXi AppTec built and operates the PRC’s “State Key Laboratory of Drug Lead Compound Research", which carries out research to promote the Chinese economy and military build-up
WuXi AppTec has a “management committee” that is staffed by Chinese military personnel and other Party officials
WuXi AppTec has received investment from numerous PLA investment funds, including from organizations with a stated goal of investing in companies directly tied to military-civil fusion and military production
WuXi AppTec operates genetic testing centers established in coordination with the PLA. Genetic testing allows the CCP to identify and separate Uyghurs Muslims from other residents. This practice has been a key pillar of the CCP’s genocide in the region
In January, the lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban federal dollars from going to foreign adversary biotech companies, like WuXi AppTec and BGI.
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