The head of the FBI and the leader of the British intelligence agency on Wednesday fired new alarms on the Chinese government, warning business leaders that Beijing is determined to steal its technology for competitive advantage.
FBI Director Christopher Wray reaffirmed long-standing concerns about denouncing China’s economic espionage and piracy operations, as well as the Chinese government’s efforts to quell dissent abroad.
But his speech was notable because it took place at MI5’s London headquarters and alongside the agency’s general manager, Ken McCallum, in a show of Western solidarity.
Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Photo by Bonnie Cash / Pool via AP)
The statements also showed the extent to which Wray and the FBI view the Chinese government not only as a law enforcement and intelligence challenge, but are also in tune with the implications of policy actions. outside of Beijing.
“We constantly see that it is the Chinese government that poses the greatest long-term threat to our economic and national security, and to ‘ours,’ I mean our nations, along with our allies in Europe and elsewhere.” , said Wray.
McCallum said the Chinese government and its “covert pressure around the world” are “the challenge that most changes the game we face.”
“That may sound abstract. But it’s real and it’s urgent,” he said.
“It simply came to our notice then. We have to act. “
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, denied the accusations of Western leaders, saying in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that China “strongly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks.” and described the allegations as unfounded.
“We will never encourage, support or approve of cyberattacks,” the statement said.
In a look at the current tensions between China and Taiwan, Wray also said during his speech that any takeover by the Taipei force by Beijing “would represent one of the most horrific business disruptions in the world. you’ve never seen. “
Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AP)
Last week, U.S. government national intelligence director Avril Haines said at an event in Washington that there were no indications that Chinese President Xi Jinping was willing to take Taiwan by military force. But he did say that Xi appeared to be “pursuing the potential” of this action as part of a broader goal of the Chinese government to reunify Taiwan.
After appearing with his British counterpart, Wray said he would leave to others the question of whether an invasion of Taiwan was more or less likely after the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine. But he said, “I have no reason to think that his interest in Taiwan has diminished in any way.” made the Russians. in Ukraine.
The FBI director said there are indications that the Chinese, perhaps drawing lessons from Russia’s experience since the war, have sought ways to “isolate their economy” against possible sanctions.
‘Napalm Girl’ escorts refugees fleeing the war
“In our world, we call this behavior a clue,” said Wray, who throughout his speech called for caution from Western companies looking to do business in or with China. He said Western investment in China could collapse in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.
“As in Russia, Western investments built over the years could become hostages, capital stranded (and) supply chains and relations disrupted,” he said.
President Joe Biden said in May that the U.S. would respond militarily if China invaded Taiwan, offering one of the White House’s strongest statements in support of Taiwan’s self-government in decades.
The White House later tried to soften the impact of the statement, saying Biden did not outline a change in U.S. policy toward Taiwan, an autonomous island that China considers a separatist province that should meet with the continent.
The embassy spokesman said the Taiwan issue was “purely an internal affair of China” and said that when it comes to issues over China’s territory and sovereignty, the country “has no room for commitments or concessions “.
“We will fight for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts,” the statement said, although it noted that China “will reserve the option to take all necessary measures in response to the interference of the foreign forces “.