The head of GCHQ, Britain’s electronic spy agency, also says Russia’s forces are “exhausted” and facing a “desperate situation.”
From satellite systems to digital currencies, China is seeking to use new technologies to repress dissent at home and dominate its adversaries abroad, according to a U.K. intelligence chief.
Unlike Britain or its democratic allies, China views technological advances as a “tool to gain advantage through control of their markets, of those in their sphere of influence and of their own citizens,” according to excerpts of a speech by Jeremy Fleming, head of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), U.K.’s electronic spy agency.
Fleming delivered his warning Tuesday in London at the Royal United Services Institute, a defense and security think tank. His office released excerpts of his speech to reporters in advance.
The intelligence chief said that Beijing’s “great strength combined with fear is driving China into actions that could represent a huge threat to us all.”
Citing China’s focus on strategically vital technologies, Fleming said that how governments respond to China “will define our future” and the scientific and technological community in democratic countries will need to rise to the challenge.
Fleming cited several examples of how China seeks leverage from key technologies or tries to rewrite international standards.
China is pursuing a centralized digital currency that could “enable China to partially evade the sort of international sanctions currently being applied to [Vladimir] Putin’s regime in Russia,” Fleming said, according to the prepared remarks.
Beijing is building up its BeiDou satellite system, which could be used to block adversaries’ access to space or to bolster the surveillance of its citizens, according to Fleming.
“Many believe that China is building a powerful anti-satellite capability, with a doctrine of denying other nations access to space in the event of a conflict. And there are fears the technology could be used to track individuals,” Fleming said.
China also has proposed new international rules for the internet that could threaten digital freedom and enhance state control, threatening human rights “by the introduction of new tracking methods,” the speech excerpts said.
Add Comment