China is 'set on stealing technology', UK and US warn

In a joint address, the heads of MI5 and the FBI warn of the magnitude of the threat posed by China

The directors of the British and USA's intelligence agencies have delivered a joint address warning about the threat of Chinese espionage.

Christopher Wray, the FBI director, and Ken McCallum, the MI5's director general, stood alongside each other at the MI5's London headquarters to warn businesses that China is "set on stealing technology from other nations" and to stress the magnitude of the threat it poses.

"The Chinese government is set on stealing your technology, whatever it is that makes your industry tick, and using it to undercut your business and dominate your market," Wray said.

"We consistently see that it's the Chinese government that poses the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security, and by ‘our', I mean both of our nations, along with our allies in Europe and elsewhere.

"Maintaining a technological edge may do more to increase a company's value than would partnering with a Chinese company to sell into that huge Chinese market, only to find the Chinese government and your partner stealing and copying your innovation."

Moreover, he warned that China forcibly taking Taiwan would "represent one of the most horrific business disruptions the world has ever seen", while adding that China is deploying cyber espionage to "cheat and steal on a massive scale".

McCallum, meanwhile, said the MI5 had more than doubled its work against Chinese activity in the last three years and predicted that it would double again.

"Today is the first time the heads of the FBI and MI5 have shared a public platform," he said.

"We're doing so to send the clearest signal we can on a massive, shared challenge: China.

"This might feel abstract. But it's real and it's pressing. We need to talk about it. We need to act."

In response to Wray's comments, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: "The relevant US politician has been playing up the so-called China threat to smear and attack China.

"Facts have fully proven that the US is the biggest threat to world peace, stability and development.

"We urge this US official to have the right perspective, see China's developments in an objective and reasonable manner and stop spreading lies and stop making irresponsible remarks."