OP-ED: China wants to silence me. Instead, I'm speaking out

The People's Republic of China is an authoritarian state that has been stealing our intellectual property and technology for years. In light of attempts by the Chinese government (abetted recently by the NBA) to stifle free speech within the United States, I was outraged when I received a letter from Chinese government officials requesting that I "not make any contact with officials of Taiwan."

To give some context, Taiwan and America recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which formalized the relationship between these two allies. A small reception was held near my home in Phoenix to celebrate the anniversary, which I was privileged to attend.

Taiwan is a significant trading partner with the U.S., and American officials routinely visit. There are joint cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S., and America sells military materiel to Taiwan. I want this mutually beneficial relationship to continue. Similarly, there are economic and cultural benefits of our relationship with mainland China. In fact, after Mexico and Canada, China is Arizona's third-leading trading partner and our nation's largest — which is why I was surprised to receive such an uncivil, undiplomatic message from the People's Republic of China's consulate in Los Angeles.

Mainland China's conduct toward me was outrageous and should also serve as a warning to all U.S. companies that the Communist Party of China cares little about the sovereignty of other nations and does not respect proper diplomatic channels. The recent Chinese efforts to silence Houston Rockets' general manager Daryl Morey because of a single tweet in support of the pro-liberty movement in Hong Kong is typical of an authoritarian nation that fails to respect free speech. I was enormously disappointed that the NBA did not push back, but instead criticized Morey.

China's long pattern of bullying American companies is one of the reasons why President Trump is taking on the Chinese over unfair trade practices. For decades, the trade surplus China has enjoyed through unbalanced trade arrangements has largely funded that nation's efforts to build a blue-water navy, improve and expand its armaments manufacturing, and develop an advanced rocketry industry. China's theft of American technology and its relentless cyberattacks have facilitated its rise as well.

Trump is the first American leader who has had the courage to take on the Chinese. His efforts are long overdue.

I hope that America will forgo the short-term economic gain of ignoring China's bad behavior, and endure the short-term pain of trying to equalize our trade relationship, in favor of the long-term benefits of more balanced engagement.

China should spend more time helping its own people and less time telling me who I can speak to on behalf of my constituents and my country. Chinese officials should never again attempt to give an ultimatum to an American elected official.

I won't kowtow to Chinese demands.