The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2019

16 JULY-AUGUST 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL to strangle Uyghur culture and stamp out the Islamic faith, including through the detention of more than one million members of Muslimminority groups.” Sec. Pompeo called on the Chinese government “to make a full, public accounting of those killed or missing” in the Tiananmen Square uprising as well as to release “all those held for seeking to exercise these rights and freedoms.” Beijing responded sharply. Secretary Pompeo’s statement “maliciously attacks China’s political system, denigrates the state of China’s human rights and reli- gious affairs, wantonly criticizes China’s Xinjiang policy and severely interferes in China’s domestic affairs,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a press briefing. “These lunatic ravings and babbling nonsense will only end up in the trash can of history.” Senators Introduce Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act T he Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019, introduced by Sena- tors Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), aims to hold Chinese officials accountable for alleged abuses against the minority group, Voice of America reported June 3. The legislation would create positions in the State Department and intelligence agencies to monitor China’s internment program, says VOA, adding that it would also impose sanctions against Chinese officials involved in programs detaining Uyghurs. “Today, we are all Uyghurs, and China’s horrific and systematic abuse of its Uyghur minority is an affront to all people who value the principles of universal human rights,” Sen. Menendez said in a statement after the bipartisan Championing American Business Through Diplomacy China views Africa’s growth as an opportunity for geographic and ideological expansion through their Belt and Road Initiative, which preys on developing nations, leaving them largely in debt traps. The United States must provide a better alternative to China’s exploi- tation. I have met with African governments, ambassadors and business leaders. They all tell me the same thing: that the United States is their preferred partner, but we are just simply not there. The United States brings quality, transparency and partnership, but we must show up to the game to compete. That is why my bill, the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act, is so important. It helps ensure that State better supports American companies of all sizes looking to invest in Africa and elsewhere bringing prosperity and, most importantly, stability. —Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-Texas), from his opening statement at the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing titled, “Democracy, Development, and Defense: Rebalancing U.S.-Africa Policy” on May 16. Resources to Restore Diplomatic and Development Capacity It [the bill] provides the necessary resources to restore diplomatic and development capacity at the State Department and USAID by returning Foreign Service and Civil Service work- forces to levels prior to the administration’s hiring freeze. —House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), from her statement at the full committee markup of the House FY2020 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill on May 16. Move to Get Diplomats Out in the Field Since day one of my chairmanship, I have been working to move nominations that have been stalled in committee, and Brian Bulatao’s nomination is just one example of a nomina- tion that has sat for far too long. I am pleased to see Mr. Bulatao confirmed today by the full Senate, as he is eminently qualified for this role—a role that is incredibly vital to the day-to-day workings and opera- tions of the State Department, at home and abroad. I am confident that he will do what is necessary to get our diplo- mats outside of our embassies and in the field to compete with the Russian, Chinese and Iranian governments. —Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch (R-Idaho), on the confirmation of Under Secretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao on May 16. Heard on the Hill JOSH