Intelligence leaders of ‘Five Eyes’ countries made this allegation on China

New York (ANI): According to a report, intelligence leaders of the ‘Five Eyes’ countries have accused China of posing a threat to the world and alleged that the country steals intellectual property, trade secrets and personal data from around the world. These leaders made these claims in CBS News’ 60 Minutes.

The ‘Five Eyes’ is a security alliance formed after World War II, consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They monitor the global threat landscape, including events such as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in West Asia, Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine and what they call China’s unprecedented global espionage campaign.

According to CBS News, when discussing Chinese spying, FBI Director Wray said there are approximately 2,000 active investigations underway to uncover Chinese efforts to steal data from multiple countries.
“The People’s Republic of China represents the decisive threat to this generation in this era. There is no country that presents a greater and more pervasive threat to our ideas, our… our innovation, our economic security and, ultimately, our national security.” “We have seen efforts by the Chinese government, directly or indirectly, to steal intellectual property, trade secrets, personal data across the country,” he said.
He said: “We’re talking about everything from Fortune 100 companies to small startups. We’re talking about agriculture, biotech, healthcare, robotics, aviation and academic research. We probably have about 2,000 active investigations that are just related to the Chinese government trying to steal information. Apart from this, Ken McCallum, Director General of Britain’s FBI i.e. MI5, emphasized that China is trying to steal military, government and educational data from the country.

McCallum said: “This is not just about government secrets or military secrets. It’s not just about critical infrastructure either. It is about academic research in our universities. It’s about promising startups. In short, people who probably don’t think about national security.” It’s about them.”
At the same event, intelligence leaders from the ‘Five Eyes’ countries expressed concerns about ongoing global espionage by China, CBS News reported.
David Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, said the partnership between the leaders of the ‘Five Eyes’ strengthens the alliance.
The leaders of the ‘Five Eyes’ countries, along with FBI Director Christopher Wray, made their first joint public appearance last week to issue a warning about global spying by China, according to CBS News.

“The People’s Republic of China represents the decisive threat of this generation, this era,” Ray said at the joint public appearance. “There is no country that presents a broader and more pervasive threat to our ideas, our innovation, our economy,” he said. security and ultimately, our national security. The intelligence directors further warned that in addition to national security threats, China is stealing intellectual property from companies, CBS News reported.

Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, highlighted that one way China steals intellectual property is by targeting people on professional networking sites.

A Chinese state actor pretends to be a consultant or a conference host and then uses the site to lure a businessman to a third country, CBS News quoted him as saying.
“The actor can access the target’s computer in his hotel room and steal intellectual property from the target’s company,” he said.
CBS News further quoted Burgess as saying, “They make commercial gains to our detriment.”
The report said the Chinese government targets dissidents around the world through a program called ‘Operation Fox Hunt’, which aims to find fugitives allegedly accused of domestic corruption.

FBI Director Wray said China used the program to harass, stalk, monitor, and intimidate Chinese dissidents abroad.
“These are uncoordinated law enforcement operations that violate our sovereignty and international norms,” Ray said.
Later, during the news show 60 Minutes, the Five Eyes leaders also addressed the “perennial threat” posed by Russia.
Ken McCallum, director general of the M15, which is responsible for protecting Britain, its citizens and its interests at home and abroad against national security threats, said his country had already taken measures against Russia’s covert presence “in advance of the invasion.” Strict action was taken. of Ukraine, CBS News reported.

After a British double agent was poisoned in the English city of Salisbury in 2018, Britain removed declassified Russian intelligence officers who were part of the Russian diplomatic presence in the country.
McCallum said Britain had expelled several Russian diplomats since the “invasion” of Ukraine.
“But in the scope of our work, never underestimate Russian intelligence services,” McCallum said. “They will seek to use any other available means, including cyber methods, to continue influencing and gathering intelligence.”
Meanwhile, Wray said the FBI has partnered with other intelligence operations to disrupt significant Russian cyber operations, including the malware known as “Snake,” CBS News reported.

He said the FBI and its partners were able to turn on the malware themselves, later rendering it ineffective, the report said.
Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, explained how he and his colleagues manage everything that happens around the world. He drew an analogy by borrowing from his country’s national pastime – ice hockey.
“When the puck goes in the corner and you have to defend, you know you have your teammates with you, you have your players on the ice with you to defend,” Vigneault said, “and that’s what puts us tall in front.” It’s about threats.” (ANI)