Senator Rec Crawford warns Beijing uses legal and covert tools before conflict

Senator Rec Crawford told the committee that China prepares the battlefield well in advance of any overt hostilities. By leveraging lawful investments, research agreements, supply‑chain dependencies and stealthy cyber intrusions, Beijing creates leverage across the United States. Crawford stressed that these activities are designed to stay below the level of armed engagement, turning everyday American institutions into points of vulnerability. He called for a robust partnership among federal, state and local agencies and highlighted the need for citizens to understand how these covert pressures threaten their freedoms and security.