FBI and MI5 leaders issue a coordinated alert on Chinese spying that is unusual

• Christopher Wray and Ken McCallum deliver joint address at MI5’s London HQ.
• They warn business leaders that Beijing is determined to steal their technology.
• It is the first time the heads of the FBI and MI5 have jointly addressed the public.

In an unusual joint presentation, the heads of the FBI and Britain’s domestic intelligence agency; raised new concerns about the Chinese government and warned business executives; that Beijing was intent to steal their technology for competitive advantage.

The FBI director, Christopher Wray, spoke alongside the MI5 director general, Ken McCallum; at an address at MI5’s London headquarters in an effort to demonstrate western unity. Wray reiterated long-standing worries about China’s cyber; and economic espionage activities as well as its attempts to quell dissent overseas.

The Chinese government, which Wray defined as both of our countries; as well as our friends in Europe and abroad; “consistently presents the most long-term danger; to our economic and national security,” he added.

The Chinese government, he warned the audience; was “bent on taking your technology; whatever it is that makes your company tick; and utilising it to undercut your firm and dominate your market.”

According to Ken McCallum, MI5 is currently conducting seven times as many investigations; into China as it did four years prior; and it plans to “increase as much again” to combat the pervasive inference efforts; that permeate “so many parts of our national life.”

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According to McCallum, “this is the first time the leaders of the FBI and MI5; have shared a public platform.” We’re doing it to convey the strongest message possible; about a significant common challenge: China.

The Chinese government, according to McCallum; is “the biggest game-changing threat we face”; with its “covert pressure around the globe.”

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington; denied the claims made by the western leaders; telling the Associated Press in an email that China “firmly opposes; and combats any sorts of cyber-attacks” and characterising the charges as unfounded.

According to the statement, “We will never assist, promote; or condone cyber-attacks.”

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