China Unparalleled Threat & Priority Says US Intel Chief

By Donald Standeford, Correspondent
Date Published: 2021-04-17 07:50PM PST
Last Modified: 2021-05-03 11:22PM PST

Director Of US National Intelligence Avril Haines has stated that China is an "unparalleled priority" to the United States intelligence community as she testified at a "Worldwide threats" hearing, due to China's recent aggressive behavior and growing cyber threat.

Haines stated that China is "a near-peer competitor challenging the United States in multiple arenas, while pushing to revise global norms in ways that favor the authoritarian Chinese system"

Haines also testified that "China is employing a comprehensive approach to demonstrate its growing strength and compel regional neighbors to acquiesce to Beijing’s preferences, including its claims over disputed territory and assertions of sovereignty over Taiwan. It also has substantial cyber capabilities that if deployed, at a minimum, can cause localized, temporary disruptions to critical infrastructure inside the United States."

The Unclassified 2021 Report stated that China is "challenging the United States in multiple arenas—especially economically, militarily, and technologically—and is pushing to change global norms."

The report also stated "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will continue its whole-of-government efforts to spread China’s influence, undercut that of the United States, drive wedges between Washington and its allies and partners, and foster new international norms that favor the authoritarian Chinese system. Chinese leaders probably will, however, seek tactical opportunities to reduce tensions with Washington when such opportunities suit their interests."

Regarding Chinese aggression in the South China sea, the report went on to say "In the South China Sea, Beijing will continue to intimidate rival claimants and will use growing numbers of air, naval, and maritime law enforcement platforms to signal to Southeast Asian countries that China has effective control over contested areas. China is similarly pressuring Japan over contested areas in the East China Sea"

The report continued, "Beijing will press Taiwan authorities to move toward unification and will condemn what it views as increased US-Taiwan engagement. We expect that friction will grow as Beijing steps up attempts to portray Taipei as internationally isolated and dependent on the mainland for economic prosperity,and as China continues to increase military activity around the island"

Chinese use of ground based ASAT missiles and optical lasers and is also mentioned "China has already fielded ground-based ASAT missiles intended to destroy satellites in LEO and ground-based ASAT lasers probably intended to blind or damage sensitive space-based optical sensors on LEO satellites."