Prominent Republican lawmaker Representative Stephanie Bice from Oklahoma has raised serious concerns about the recent acquisition of a U.S. educational website by a Chinese private equity firm. The website in question, Tutor.com, is extensively used by American service members and students across the country, making this acquisition a matter of great importance.
Representative Bice has written a letter to President Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging them to provide explanations regarding this alarming development. She has expressed deep worry over the fact that Primavera Capital Group, an entity based in the People’s Republic of China, was granted approval to purchase Tutor.com. The website provides essential tutoring services to active duty and reserve service members, as well as civilian Defense Department personnel.
The concerns raised by Republicans stem from the Chinese government’s practice of compelling organizations based in China to share their data, thereby jeopardizing the privacy and security of users and tutors. Representative Bice highlights the potential exploitation of personal information by the Chinese Communist Party, which poses significant national security risks.
The growing influence of China on American academia and its impact on young Americans have become increasingly troubling. This acquisition by the Hong Kong-based equity firm, which also includes the parent company Princeton Review, raises further alarms.
In the past, the United States has taken measures to counter China’s influence on educational platforms. Confucius Institutes, language and cultural education centers, were shut down in 2020 after being labeled as entities advancing Beijing’s global propaganda and malign influence campaign on U.S. campuses and K-12 classrooms. However, recent reports suggest that similar CCP-backed educational centers have reappeared under different names, often funded by entities that previously subsidized the Confucius Institutes.
These developments have sparked discussions in Washington about the need to reevaluate the presence of TikTok, a popular social media platform owned by China-backed company Bytedance. The concerns revolve around Beijing’s influence capabilities on young Americans, calling for a cautious approach to protect national security.
Representative Bice’s letter emphasizes the role of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, responsible for reviewing foreign acquisitions and alerting the president about potential national security risks. She rightly questions the decision to allow this acquisition, considering the potential compromise of personal data belonging to service members and Defense Department personnel.
Republican lawmakers express deep concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of this situation. Representative Bice calls on President Biden to take a firm stance against China and put an end to their increasingly aggressive actions, including violations of sovereign American airspace.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding American interests and ensuring the privacy and security of our citizens. Republicans demand a robust response to prevent such compromises in the future. It is now President Biden’s responsibility to address these concerns and take decisive action to protect the nation’s security.
Source Fox News