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It’s not often that Western intelligence officials give keynote public speeches. So when they speak, we should listen – especially when it comes to China. Sir Jeremy Fleming, Director of the United Kingdom’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – roughly the equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency – spoke at the Australian National University on Thursday. Here’s what he had to say about the intersection of technology and systems of government: Historically, technology development was largely driven and owned by the West. Shared values amongst involved nations meant industry standards for emerging technologies tended to be global. Investment in technology brought status, wealth and security. Today, we are in a different era. We can see that significant technology leadership is… Read More

Last month China’s anti-trust regulator, the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR), granted its approval for SK Hynix to purchase Intel’s NAND memory chip business. Unlike authorizations offered by other countries that had to okay the deal, however, SAMR approved the terms with six stipulations, including that SK Hynix “help a third-party competitor enter the… markets.” While such conditions are not unheard of, a growing field of experts has called on CFIUS to re-review the transaction, which could now enable technology transfers to the Chinese government. But does CFIUS have the authority to do so? Nazak Nikakhtar, former Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis at the U.S. International Trade Administration, says yes.  “The U.S. government very much has the legal… Read More

SK Hynix’s proposed purchase of Intel’s NAND memory chip division could create another avenue for the Chinese government to steal American-made technology, panelists cautioned during a roundtable forum yesterday hosted by China Tech Threat, “CTT Quick Cut: Does the SK Hynix Deal Pose a National Security Risk?” Memory chips are a bedrock component to operate sophisticated networks, like defense systems. Much of this technology was developed by U.S. companies, and for decades the United States has enjoyed a competitive advantage in semiconductor design and manufacturing. But as the Chinese government has worked to accelerate its indigenous capabilities, often illicitly, America’s lead has narrowed. “What we have seen in the last 30 years is step by step, the design, the manufacture… Read More

Chinese semiconductor production surged 33 percent last year, double the country’s growth from 2020, the South China Morning Post reported last week. The news coincides with a report by GlobalData that concludes semiconductors and 5G technology will continue to be an area of geopolitical tension in the foreseeable future. “In 2022, the global dependency on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will remain a chokepoint for the global tech economy,” Daniel Clarke, an analyst with GlobalData, told Electronic Products & Technology. “China’s lead in many advanced tech sectors is glaring, and US and European policymakers are starting to wake up to the implications of being behind on core technologies.” Last March, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence recommended Congress tighten… Read More

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

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

Bipartisan bill will close “Huawei” loophole and combat national security threats posed by risky Chinese entities WASHINGTON – China Tech Threat Co-Founder Dr. Roslyn Layton today issued the below statement following President Biden signing into law the Secure Equipment Act of 2021. China Tech Threat has been a leading advocate to ensure the “Covered List” of vulnerable equipment vendors is current and relevant. China Tech Threat and more than 20 bipartisan organizations issued a letter to House and Senate leaders applauding the swift passage of this critical legislation.  “The Secure Equipment Act becoming law is an important step in bolstering the privacy and security of all Americans as the threat of malicious Chinese technology devices deployed in American homes, schools,… Read More

Late last month, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and 16 top Republicans sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, calling for the “strengthening of export controls on semiconductors.” China Tech Threat has written extensively on this topic and asked the Congressman to expand on some of the points raised in the letter. He graciously agreed. 3 Key Takeaways Congressman McCaul believes that Chinese companies SMIC, Honor, and YMTC require additional restrictions. For example, he notes, “YMTC’s reliance on U.S. and other foreign sources of equipment and software make export controls an effective option to mitigate the threats to national security, economic security, and foreign policy interests.”He points to Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology and explains, “technologies [that] are… Read More