China poses 'epoch-defining challenge to the West'
China’s ‘epoch-defining’ challenge to the West: Britain cannot be complacent over ‘dramatic rise’ of the ‘technology superpower’, cyber security chief warns
- Lindy Cameron will say the UK and its allies cannot be complacent
- Ms Cameron will warn: ‘Bluntly, we cannot afford not to keep pace’
China poses an ‘epoch-defining’ challenge to the West amid fears it could become the world’s strongest technological power, security chiefs warn today.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) head, Lindy Cameron, will say the UK and its allies cannot be complacent over the ‘dramatic rise of China as a technology superpower’.
Beijing is heading for technical supremacy over the West and if it is allowed to win, the strength will be applied to ‘achieve a dominant role in global affairs’ and not equality with world powers. Ms Cameron will also warn: ‘Bluntly, we cannot afford not to keep pace otherwise we risk China becoming the predominant power in cyberspace.’
It comes as it was revealed that Britain has given China £400 million in foreign aid since ministers pledged to stop the payments.
The National Cyber Security Centre head, Lindy Cameron, will say the UK and its allies cannot be complacent over the ‘dramatic rise of China as a technology superpower’ (file image)
Aid minister Andrew Mitchell announced in 2010 that funds would no longer be sent to the communist-run country.
But figures from the House of Commons library reveal that £391 million was handed over up to the start of last year. Spending in 2022 is expected to push the total beyond £400 million. The outlay peaked at £68.3 million in 2019.
Fears that China could become technologically superior are fuelled by the belief it could use its supply chain controls to suffocate the western markets.
Frontier technologies such as the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence and quantum computing could be weaponised by China, spy chiefs warn.
Ms Cameron, who is responsible for the UK’s cyber protection as chief executive of the NCSC – an arm of intelligence agency GCHQ – will address her concerns to a conference in Belfast.
She will say: ‘We cannot secure future technology without addressing the epoch-defining challenge we are facing – the dramatic rise of China as a technology superpower.’
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6, 2023
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) inspects an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) during a welcome ceremony held outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 14 April 2023
According to The Times, Ms Cameron will say China ‘has identified several existing and emerging technologies as being vital to its future national security’.
She will add: ‘It has the aspiration to become a world leader in setting technological standards.
‘So we need to be clear: China is not only pushing for parity with western countries, it is aiming for technical supremacy. It will use its tech strength as a lever to achieve a dominant role in global affairs.
‘Some may dismiss this as far-fetched scaremongering, but it is a risk I would urge you to take seriously. This is simply not something about which any of us can be complacent.’
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said of the aid money being sent to China: ‘It is outrageous that the Government is still sending tens of millions of pounds a year to China when we were promised in 2010 that this would stop.
‘People will be rightly shocked that we have given £400 million to China, not only because it does not need it – it is the second biggest economy in the world – but also because of its appalling human rights record.’
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