China poses the greatest long-term strategic threat in the 21st century, a top Pentagon commander told lawmakers on Wednesday, alleging that Beijing’s very pernicious approach to the region includes a whole of party effort to coerce, corrupt and co-opt governments, businesses, organizations and the people of the Indo-Pacific. “…the greatest long-term strategic threat in the 21st century … is the People’s Republic of China. In stark contrast to our free and open vision, the Communist Party of China promotes a closed and authoritarian system through internal oppression, as well as external aggression,” Admiral Phil Davidson, commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, told members of the House Armed Services Committee.