By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

CONGRESSWOMAN Madeleine Z. Bordallo has been chosen to co-chair the Congressional China Caucus, a forum for members of Congress who share a common interest in the emergence of China.
Congressman Randy Forbes, R-Va., co-chairman of the group, said Bordallo would be an ideal co-chair for the China Caucus because Guam is the nearest point of the United States to China and is uniquely impacted by U.S.-China policy and posture.
“The caucus continues to study China’s capabilities and observe developments of China’s military build-up and their growing global economic footprint. Congresswoman Bordallo and I will encourage the Congress and the administration to develop a cohesive strategy on China,” Forbes said in a statement.
He added that China’s recent demonstration of its military capabilities and the announcement of America’s $233 billion trade deficit with China have great impact on global trends and America’s national priorities, which warrant the attention of the nation’s leaders.
“I’m pleased to welcome Congresswoman Bordallo as my partner on this important caucus,” Forbes said.
Bordallo, elected by the people of Guam to a third term in Congress, is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services.
The purpose of the Congressional China Caucus is to generate discussion and debate on the emergence of China as a political, economic and military actor on both the regional and global stage.
The caucus educates its members on issues pertaining to China or Chinese interests and serves as a venue for discussion of such issues in the context of U.S. interests.
Bordallo has described the U.S.-China relationship as a diverse and complex association.
“Working to form a comprehensive strategy will go far toward achieving better coordination of the wide range of ways the United States engages with China. I look forward to working with Congressman Forbes and the caucus in raising awareness about the Sino-American relationship,” Bordallo said.
The caucus is expected to take a critical look at a number of U.S.-China issues, including military/shipbuilding, economy/trade, intellectual property, energy/resources, and human rights/religious freedoms.