FBI Director Christopher Wray informed a congressional committee on Wednesday that hackers associated with the Chinese government are actively targeting critical U.S. infrastructure, with intentions to inflict “real-world harm” on Americans.
State-sponsored hacking operations are focused on various sectors, including water treatment plants, the electric grid, oil and natural gas pipelines, and transportation hubs, as outlined during his testimony before the House of Representatives Select Committee on Competition with China.
On the same day, U.S. officials revealed the disruption of an extensive Chinese cyber-spying operation. The Chinese foreign ministry has not yet responded to inquiries regarding these allegations.
Director Wray emphasized that U.S. government concerns are distinct from Chinese Americans or Chinese nationals in the U.S., who are often targets of Beijing’s “aggression.”
This hearing unfolded amid heightened tensions between the United States and China, encompassing issues such as the status of Taiwan, China’s military expansion, economic and technological competition, and human rights concerns in Beijing.
Notably, China’s President Xi Jinping reportedly assured President Joe Biden in November that Beijing would not interfere in the 2024 U.S. election. When questioned about this pledge, Wray expressed skepticism, stating, “China has promised a lot of things over the years. So, I guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Despite these challenges, officials asserted confidence in the integrity of the U.S. election infrastructure. Wray reiterated his stance that Beijing continues to undermine the United States through espionage campaigns, intellectual property theft, and cyberattacks.
