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Transcript/ScriptUS China Talks (TV/RADIO)
HEADLINE: FBI Warns of Chinese Hacker Threats on US Infrastructure
TEASER: Warning comes as Biden administration push message of stability in US-China ties
PUBLISHED: 01/31/2024 at 8:49p
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara
WRITERS:
CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Seldin, Anita Powell
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, Mia Bush, David Jones
VIDEO SOURCE: AFP, AP, Skype, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:30
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: Radio track included. There is a web))
((INTRO: ))
[[Chinese government hackers are targeting critical infrastructure inside the United States, FBI Director Chris Wray told House lawmakers on Wednesday. The warning comes as the Biden administration touts its outreach to China as key in reducing tensions between the two rivals. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.]]
((NARRATOR))
Public transport is just one of the critical infrastructure systems in the United States targeted by China,
((NARRATOR))
FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers Wednesday.
((Christopher Wray, FBI Director))
“China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if and when China decides the time has come to strike.”
((NARRATOR))
China has previously rejected U.S. hacking allegations as baseless.
Wray's warning comes as
((NARRATOR))
other officials tout U.S. outreach to China,
((NARRATOR))
pointing to new cooperation on counternarcotics as evidence of reduced tensions.
((NARRATOR))
The two sides have also started discussions on artificial intelligence and resumed contact between their militaries.
((Radio: White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan))
((Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser))
“We agreed that President [Joe] Biden and President XI [Jinping] should speak and should speak by telephone relatively soon. And, I think the acknowledgment coming out of Woodside ((California meeting between Biden and Xi in November 2023)) that there really is no substitute for leader-to-leader conversation.”
((NARRATOR))
A key issue is the U.S. presidential election in November, where Washington is wary of even the appearance of interference from adversaries.
((Radio: Jeremi Suri teaches international relations at the University of Texas at Austin. He spoke to VOA via Zoom))
((Jeremi Suri, University of Texas at Austin)) ((Mandatory credit: Zoom))
“The Chinese are likely to be pretty cautious about interfering especially with the presidential election. I think we might see some Chinese interference through bots and through online activities with regard to some of the congressional elections, especially if they perceive some members of Congress as being too hawkish on China.”
((NARRATOR))
Whether President Xi Jinping promised President Joe Biden in their last meeting in November that China would not meddle in U.S. elections, is something National Security Council John Kirby declined to confirm.
((John Kirby, National Security Council))
“We've been clear publicly and we've been clear privately with interlocutors all around the world that we’ll do what we have to do to make sure that our elections are free and fair, and they have been, and they will continue to be.”
((NARRATOR))
Potential for new irritants aside, after a turbulent period last year that included China flying balloons to spy on the U.S., the relationship has largely stabilized.
((Radio: Rana Mitter, professor of U.S.-China ties at the Harvard Kennedy School, via Skype))
((Rana Mitter, Harvard Kennedy School)) ((Mandatory credit: Skype))
“There have been very active moves by the Biden administration, by the U.S. government to try and find points of calm where China can engage. And on the part of China, it does seem there's a willingness that wasn't there even a year or two ago.”
((NARRATOR))
Calm the administration is keen to preserve, with a war in the Middle East that could expand.
((NARRATOR))
((Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, at the White House))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
at the White House
Embargo DateJanuary 31, 2024 22:26 EST
Byline
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
