Today, Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on China have expressed strong support for the AUKUS partnership. They sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, emphasizing the importance of this alliance amid increasing military threats from Beijing.
The letter states, “The People’s Republic of China’s rapid expansion of its nuclear, conventional, cyber, and space capabilities—many specifically designed to target the armed forces of the United States and our allies—threatens U.S. interests and jeopardizes the security of our partners.” It further highlights that AUKUS is vital for strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The communication also addresses recent activities by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), such as deploying both aircraft carriers to the western Pacific and conducting naval exercises in the Tasman Sea. These actions are seen as efforts by Beijing to extend its military influence into the southern Pacific.
Chairman Moolenaar and Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi commended Australia’s $3 billion investment in enhancing the U.S. submarine industrial base. They stressed the significance of both Pillars I and II under AUKUS, which focus on cooperation in submarine production and advanced technology development.
They write, “We are stronger together under the AUKUS framework,” adding that with appropriate resources and problem-solving strategies, they aim to fulfill their mission under this agreement.
The letter concludes with a reaffirmation of a bipartisan commitment from the Select Committee to reinforce U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific area while maintaining leadership against China’s assertive actions.
