Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) sent a letter to World Resources Institute (WRI) President Andrew Steer, requesting information regarding the WRI’s work with the Chinese government and WRI’s advocacy within the United States.

“Chinese officials continually work to control environmental information and news stories in an effort to counter the country’s status as the world’s largest polluter. High profile extreme pollution events, such as the poor air quality during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, damage China’s international reputation. Severe pollution, frequently tied to state owned or politically connected companies, is a domestic security concern that undermines the legitimacy of China’s one-party system…

“The Committee is examining WRI’s role in aiding China’s perception management efforts with respect to pollution control and its international standing on environmental issues in ways that may be detrimental to the United States. WRI has formally operated in China since 2008,  and per the new registration law, was issued a registration certificate on November 15, 2017 allowing it work under ‘the guidance and supervision’ of the Beijing Public Security Bureau and Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment. WRI leadership regularly interacts with senior Chinese government and Communist party officials and provides public support for Chinese environmental programs, including supplying positive quotes for Chinese government press releases and op-eds in the government-controlled China Daily… 

“While WRI criticizes policies of the U.S. government, WRI is silent on Chinese human rights violations such as arrests of environmental protesters and the mass detention of ethnic minorities. By contrast, WRI advocates on behalf of the rights of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities in other countries. On important issues for Chinese leadership, WRI’s position appears to closely reflect China’s goals and objectives.”

Click here to read the full letter.