FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a warning on April 18, alerting national security and intelligence experts, as well as students, about the imminent risks posed by the government of China to U.S. national and economic security.
Speaking at the Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats in Nashville, Wray emphasized that the threat extends to critical infrastructure within the United States, presenting a formidable challenge to the nation’s resilience.
Comprehensive Threat Landscape: The CCP’s Hybrid Approach
Wray delineated the multifaceted threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), characterizing it as a hybrid challenge encompassing crime, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity. The FBI, he noted, is engaged in combating this threat across all three domains, leveraging resources and expertise to thwart China’s ambitions.
“The overall threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is a hybrid one that involves crime, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity—and which the FBI is countering with resources from all three missional spheres,” Wray said.
Central to China’s agenda, Wray asserted, is its relentless pursuit of economic dominance, driven by aspirations for wealth and power. The CCP’s modus operandi involves the theft of intellectual property, technology, and research across diverse sectors of the U.S. economy. This aggressive posture underscores China’s determination to secure strategic advantages, even at the expense of fair competition.
Strategic Maneuvers: Cyber Intrusions and Future Crisis Mitigation
Beyond economic motives, Wray highlighted China’s strategic imperatives, including its efforts to preemptively neutralize potential obstacles to its geopolitical ambitions. Notably, he referenced China’s aim to diminish U.S. influence in a potential crisis involving Taiwan by 2027. The ripple effects of China’s aggressive cyber intrusions and criminal activities are already being felt, with implications for U.S. cybersecurity and national security strategies.
Wray further highlighted the urgency of proactive measures in preparing for future confrontations with China, emphasizing the pivotal role of budgets currently under consideration in shaping the nation’s readiness. Partnerships with the private sector and academia, he asserted, constitute indispensable assets in countering the evolving threat landscape posed by China.
The Specter of Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability
Expressing grave concern over the vulnerability of U.S. critical infrastructure, Wray highlighted the CCP’s relentless targeting of essential sectors such as water treatment facilities, energy grids, transportation, and information technology.
The sheer scope and intensity of China’s hacking program pose an existential threat, empowering China to potentially wreak havoc on critical infrastructure at its discretion.
“The fact is, the PRC’s targeting of our critical infrastructure is both broad and unrelenting,” he said. And, he added, the immense size—and expanding nature—of the CCP’s hacking program isn’t just aimed at stealing American intellectual property. “It’s using that mass, those numbers, to give itself the ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing,” he said.
This risk isn’t new. CCP-sponsored cyber actors “prepositioned” themselves to potentially mount cyber offenses against American energy companies in 2011—targeting 23 different pipeline operators,” he added further.
Drawing from operational insights, Wray illuminated China’s cyber tactics, citing past incidents as harbingers of its malicious intent. From prepositioning cyber assets to mounting indiscriminate cyber campaigns, China’s actions highlight its determination to undermine U.S. national security and economic resilience.
Collaborative Responses: FBI Led Operations and Joint Initiatives
In combating the China threat, Wray emphasized the significance of collaborative responses, leveraging joint, sequenced operations alongside partners in government and industry. Through information sharing, technical expertise, and coordinated law enforcement actions, the FBI endeavors to disrupt and deter China’s malign activities.
Encouraging active engagement from the private sector and academia, Wray stressed the imperative of collective vigilance and resilience. By fortifying networks, enhancing resiliency planning, and fostering transparency in supply chains, partners can contribute to safeguarding vital networks and mitigating the risk posed by China’s predatory tactics.
As the United States confronts the formidable challenge posed by China, Wray reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to fostering robust partnerships and promoting strategic preparedness. By heeding the warning signs and embracing collaborative strategies, the nation can navigate the evolving threat landscape with resolve and resilience.
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