The West Virginia Legislature has introduced a resolution urging the state to recognise that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is conducting an illegal asymmetric war against the United States, which includes West Virginia.
The resolution was introduced Thursday by Delegates Ridenour, Jennings, Mallow, Phillips, Martin, Jeffries, Hillenbrand, Ward, Flanigan, and Marple.
House Resolution 57 outlines several unconventional tactics used by the PRC, such as:
- Chemical Warfare : The legislature specifically points to fentanyl as an example of chemical warfare impacting the state.
- Biological Warfare : It cites the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that the PRC engineered it along with other diseases.
- Cyberattacks : These efforts are aimed at critical governmental, military, and economic systems.
- Influence Operations : The PRC is accused of using individuals who intentionally or unintentionally support their agenda.
- Intelligence Operations : This includes the deployment of drones and human assets for intelligence gathering.
The resolution emphasises that the newly established federal government is working to combat these threats, and it urges the West Virginia government to work with federal and state officials to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of this “illegal war.”
Notably, the resolution states that any public debts owed by West Virginia entities linked to the PRC since October 1, 2019 will be forgiven.
The West Virginia Legislature is urging states to form a united front in response to the perceived threat posed by the PRC, and it will distribute this resolution to state officials and legislative leaders across the country, encouraging them to take similar action.
