China is considered the greatest threat to America’s global influence in a newly released US intelligence report.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its annual report on April 13, detailing threats to US national security. The 27-page “2021 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community” summarizes analysis from 18 agencies in the US intelligence community.
In the section describing “China’s push for global power,” the report said that Beijing will continue to seek to expand its influence, weaken US influence, divide the relationship between Washington and its allies, and seek to establish the Chinese model as a new international norm.
The report also pointed out that Beijing will only seek opportunities to ease tensions with Washington when this is in China’s interests.
On the South China Sea, the report predicts that China will continue to intimidate claimants and “increasingly use maritime, air, and naval law enforcement mechanisms” to demonstrate to Southeast Asian countries that Beijing has control over disputed areas. The report also notes that China is pressuring Japan over disputed areas in the East China Sea.
On the Taiwan issue, the ODNI report indicates that China will coerce Taiwan toward unification and condemns moves that Beijing sees as increased interactions between the United States and Taiwan.
The US report predicts that China will continue to promote its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to expand Beijing’s economic, political, and military presence abroad.
The report said the Chinese military will continue to establish overseas military bases and sign agreements to enhance Beijing’s ability to “project power and protect China’s interests abroad.”
US intelligence believes that China’s navy and air force remain the largest forces in the region, and Beijing will continue to develop advanced long-range weapons to improve its capabilities. ODNI warned that China’s short-, medium-, and intermediate-range missile systems could target US and allied bases in the region.
According to the report, China has the ability to conduct cyber attacks “at a minimum, which could cause localized, temporary disruption to US critical infrastructure.”
ODNI also said that China’s cyber espionage activities include infiltrating the systems of telecommunications companies, widely used software and service providers, and other targets that could help Beijing gather intelligence, attack, or exert influence.
US intelligence believes that in East Asia and the Western Pacific, China is trying to expand its influence, exploit doubts about US commitments to the region, and undermine Taiwan’s democracy.
ODNI believes that China will continue to expand its global intelligence network to better support Beijing’s political, economic, and security interests around the world, while challenging US alliances and partnerships.
Thanh Dat
According to Taiwan News
