2021 - China Tech Threat

Biden Administration’s Year End Push To Crack Down On China Tech Threats

Posted on December 21, 2021December 21, 2021 by China Tech Threat

As 2021 draws to a close, the Biden Administration appears to be making a push to crack down on U.S. trade with Chinese tech companies that only support the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its enhancement of military capabilities that directly threaten our national and economic security. China Tech Threat is encouraged by these developments and hopes they are just the start to a more aggressive 2022. On December 17, National Security Council (NSC) Officials met with deputies from various U.S. agencies to review a proposal to toughen restrictions on China’s largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). The meeting is an encouraging development an CTT noted in a blog that SMIC isn’t the only Chinese chipmaker that should be… Read More

New BIS Director Must Address PRC Increasing Sophistication in Nuke & Space Tech

Posted on December 20, 2021December 20, 2021 by China Tech Threat

The Pentagon’s 2021 Report to Congress shows the grimmest picture yet of the military and security developments in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC has “intelligentized” its military so that it can conduct simultaneous land, air, sea, cyber, and space operations to fight and win wars against a “strong enemy” like the U.S., coerce Taiwan, counter peripheral threats, and project global power. Its development in space is impressive and includes rocket launches, sophisticated satellite operations (including navigation integration with the Belt and Road Initiative to create a “Space Information Corridor”), and testing dual-use technologies for potential counterspace missions. The PRC’s space developments are integrated with hypersonics, including the recent feats of a missile circumnavigating the globe and then… Read More

Is the Biden Administration Finally Going to Crack Down on China’s Chipmakers?

Posted on December 17, 2021December 20, 2021 by China Tech Threat

Bloomberg reports that the National Security Council (NSC) was set to meet yesterday to discuss tougher restrictions on China’s largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). In September 2020, China Tech Threat described how China’s semiconductor sector is integrated with its military and noted the important report on SMIC by military intelligence expert James Mulvenon. However, SMIC’s designation as a military end user and ultimately to the Entity List seemed to lack teeth. Indeed as House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Mike McCaul (R-TX) told China Tech Threat in a recent exclusive, the licensing policy for SMIC is “utterly ineffective” and “appears designed to give the company access to nearly all the semiconductor manufacturing equipment, technologies, and other goods it needs… Read More

BIS Policy Recommendation: Strengthen Export Control Enforcement to Deter Violations

Posted on December 15, 2021December 20, 2021 by China Tech Threat

Today, China Tech Threat released the first in a series of policy recommendations meant to help leaders at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) prevent adversaries from acquiring and weaponizing sensitive U.S.-made technologies. · BIS Agenda Recommendation 1: Strengthen Enforcement to Detect, Identify and Deter Export Control Violation Export controls provide a primary defense to keep sensitive dual-use and emerging technologies out of the hands of adversaries, like the People’s Republic of China (PRC), that seek to apply them against U.S. national security and economic interests. However, the tools to enforce compliance are relatively weak and may not fit the seriousness of threats posed by violators. Export controls are one of the few frontline defenses… Read More

Exclusive: NY Reps. Call on Governor Hochul to Bolster State Cyber Protections

Posted on December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 by China Tech Threat

Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation today issued a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul requesting details about the state’s “lax practices relating to IT cybersecurity and espionage protections” and purchases of restricted information technology equipment. It is being sent as the state looks to allocate new federal funding for IT systems after already spending tens of millions of dollars on technology products from Chinese state-owned and directed companies Lenovo and Lexmark, which have been restricted by federal agencies.China Tech Threat was provided an exclusive preview of the letter signed by Representatives Chris Jacobs, Nicole Malliotakis, Elise Stefanik, Claudia Tenney and Lee Zeldin, which states: “Recently, it has come to light that New York State has spent tens of… Read More

Coming This Week: CTT Launches Policy Recommendation Series for Incoming BIS Leaders

Posted on December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 by China Tech Threat

The Department of Commerce’ Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is the most important government agency most Americans have never heard of. Responsible for setting export control policies, enforcing treaty compliance and supporting U.S. technological leadership, the BIS plays a key role in maintaining the balance among U.S. innovation, commerce and national security interests. This once obscure office has taken on a prominent role as the United States’ competition (and tensions) with China has escalated. As Martijn Rasser and Meghan Lamberth penned recently, “As the enforcer of export controls, [BIS] has become ground zero of the technology competition with China… Export controls, investment reviews, and technology trade restrictions are now key levers in national security strategy.” President Biden has nominated… Read More

International lawmakers join CTT in Washington to learn about China’s tech threats

Posted on December 13, 2021December 13, 2021 by China Tech Threat

The Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum (PI-SF) gathers international Parliamentarians to improve understanding and collaboration in order to address global security and technological challenges. Founded by former Congressman Robert Pittenger, sponsor of the major reform Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA), CTT founders John Strand and Roslyn Layton serve on its Steering Committee. Over 250 Parliamentarians and advisors met in Washington last week at the National Archives to discuss critical issues such as illicit finance and human trafficking. They also heard keynotes from current Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and former Sen. Larry Pressler and the President of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, who described his country’s progress in the transition from a narco-state to becoming the enterprise logistics hub of Central… Read More

Lenovo: “An American security threat”

Posted on December 7, 2021 by China Tech Threat

In a piece published over the weekend, an analysis reports that Lenovo continues “not shy away from its deep Chinese military ties” an remains a serious security threat to Americans across the country. Throughout the piece, the authors emphasize the continued grip that the Chinese Communist Party has on companies across the People’s Republic of China, including Lenovo. “In June 2017, Lenovo Group Ltd. joined the Civil Enterprise Military Expo in Beijing as a leading civil enterprise representative, along with large state-owned enterprises such as China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.” The authors also explain that even with this clear and alarming evidence, the U.S. continues to fail to take real concrete steps around businesses… Read More