“China’s Covert Online Approach Sparks Security Concerns”
The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, disclosed that over 20,000 individuals in the UK have been covertly approached by Chinese spies online. This revelation coincides with a warning issued to thousands of British businesses regarding the risk of intellectual property theft by China. The heads of security agencies from the Five Eyes alliance (US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) made their first public appearance together at Stanford University in California, emphasizing the theft of commercial secrets by China.
Previously, MI5 focused on safeguarding government secrets, but they now recognize the growing theft of innovation from small companies, startups, and researchers. Suspected Chinese agents have contacted more than 20,000 UK professionals through platforms like LinkedIn, aiming to cultivate them for sensitive information. In the past year, over 20 instances of Chinese companies seeking access to UK technology through hidden investments were identified.
China consistently denies accusations of espionage. The theft of cutting-edge research, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, threatens not only company profits but also the future of Western nations. Concerns about China’s espionage activities were echoed by members of the Five Eyes alliance, emphasizing the need to protect sensitive areas rather than decoupling from China entirely. This collaboration coincided with the launch of new guidance to engage with individuals previously not connected with security services, addressing a multifaceted security landscape that includes increased radicalization and domestic threats. The FBI Director stressed that the threat posed by China is of existential significance.
