HEARING: Lies, Lawfare, and Leverage: The CCP’s Gaslighting and Manipulation to Marginalize Taiwan | Select Committee on China

Lies, Lawfare, and Leverage: The CCP’s Gaslighting and Manipulation to Marginalize Taiwan was held on February 11, 2026 by the Select Committee on China.

Streamed February 11, 2026

Mr. Julian Ku, Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, Hofstra University

Ms. Shirley Kan, Independent Specialist in Indo-Pacific Security Affairs

Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Visiting Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

Chairman John Moolenaar led a Select Committee on China hearing on China’s use of lawfare, gaslighting, and international coercion to marginalize Taiwan. The members and witnesses warned that Beijing’s campaign against Taiwan extends far beyond military threats. Through economic coercion, cyberattacks, misinformation, and legal pressure, the CCP is working to isolate Taiwan and undermine its democracy. Moolenaar reaffirmed Congress’s bipartisan, unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and praised the Trump Administration’s record arms sales and trade volumes with Taiwan.

The witnesses were Mr. Julian Ku, the Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, Hofstra University; Ms. Shirley Kan, an independent specialist in Indo-Pacific security affairs; and Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Watch the full hearing HERE or continue reading below for highlights.

Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) laid the groundwork in his opening statement:

“Make no mistake, even in the absence of a military invasion, the CCP has no interest in peace. It seeks to dominate Taiwan and the freedom-loving people who live there. It wishes to subject the people of Taiwan to the same loss of freedom and human rights the world has seen occur in Hong Kong. Under Xi Jinping, the CCP is willing to use any weapon it can to threaten Taiwanese society and security—through economic coercion, legal manipulation, the exploitation of international organizations, and lies about history.”

Chairman Moolenaar later went on to explain the context of the CCP’s actions, and the doctrine of incremental aggression, “The CCP’s gaslighting and gray zone tactics reflect the doctrine of incremental aggression. They destabilize Taiwan’s democratic government and allow China to shift the balance of power without triggering formal war. If left unchecked, these tactics risk hollowing out the island’s democracy long before a single PLA soldier ever sets foot on Taiwan.”

Read the full remarks here.

Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY):

“I would also urge all of my colleagues to take a look at what else is in the NDAA that this president signed. $15.6 billion for the Pacific deterrence initiative; $490 million in INDOPACOM commander priorities left unfunded by the Biden administration; increased funding for innovative new technologies to deter the CCP, including hypersonics, AI, autonomous systems, cyber, mobile micro nuclear reactors, high energy lasers; requires the Navy to implement a program to ensure surface fleet can rely on at sea; supports the Marine Corps 31 amphibious warship requirements; enables efficiency in the congressionally authorized block B; requires DoD to report to Congress on growing military cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and specifically in Taiwan.”

Watch the full question period here.

Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA):

Rep. Nunn examined Taiwan’s partnership with the U.S. and the threats posed by China’s economic coercion and election interference. The witnesses discussed strategies to bolster Taiwan’s resilience and the bipartisan efforts to strengthen defense and technology collaboration.

Watch the full question period here.

Mr. Julian Ku, Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, Hofstra University:

In his testimony Professor Julian Ku stressed that Beijing is using “lawfare” to pressure Taiwan, and even foreign nationals, without firing a shot. From misusing UN resolutions to criminalizing advocacy abroad, China is reshaping the status quo through legal and bureaucratic tactics. Mr. Ku warned the U.S. must counter these coercive actions, not just deter invasion, to preserve stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Read his opening statement here.

Ms. Shirley Kan, Independent Specialist in Indo-Pacific Security Affairs:

Ms. Kan testified before the Select Committee on China, warning that the CCP is “gaslighting the world” about Taiwan. She highlighted China’s political warfare, the need for strong deterrence, and the critical role of U.S. congressional oversight under the Taiwan Relations Act to protect Taiwan’s security and peace.

Read her opening statement here.

Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Visiting Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution:

Dr. Rapp-Hooper testified that Beijing is dramatically increasing military, economic, cyber, and information pressure on Taiwan. She called on Congress to reaffirm bipartisan U.S. support, and strengthen Taiwan’s ability to resist coercion. With Taiwan’s security, and allied unity, on the line, she urged decisive action now.

Read her opening statement here.