UK and US intelligence agencies warn businesses about Chinese espionage

In a joint address to business and academic leaders in London, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum and FBI Director Chris Wray cautioned leaders about the risks associated with Chinese espionage and technology theft. 

McCallum warned companies involved in the development of cutting-edge technology that they are likely of interest to China. He noted that there is intelligence indicating that China is ‘working to extract UK advantage in multiple ways’, including through covert theft, tech transfer, exploiting research, information advantage, and cultivating new contacts. 

Wray was even more straightforward in his warning, arguing that the ‘Chinese government is set on stealing your technology […] and using it to undercut your business and dominate your market. They identify key technologies needed to dominate markets. […] Then, they throw every tool in their arsenal at stealing those technologies.’ 

China’s embassy in Washington reacted to the statements by saying that China ‘firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber-attacks’, while a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson called on the USA to ‘to have the right perspective, see China’s developments in an objective and reasonable manner and stop spreading lies and stop making irresponsible remarks’.