Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Reports 'Substantial Progress' in Countering Chinese Security Threat

Masood Farivar

   WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is touting the success of its
   "China Initiative," saying it has achieved "substantial progress" in
   disrupting and deterring Chinese efforts to subvert U.S. economic and
   national security.

   In a statementMonday,the second anniversary of the China Initiative,
   Attorney General William Barr said the department has made "incredible
   strides" in countering the Chinese threat.

   "While much work remains to be done, thedepartment is committed to
   holding to account those who would steal, or otherwise illicitly
   obtain, the U.S. intellectual capital that will propel the future,"
   Barr said.

   The China Initiative was launched in November 2019 by then attorney
   general Jeff Sessions, who said at the time that "we see Chinese
   espionage not just taking place against traditional targets like our
   defense and intelligence agencies, but against targets like research
   labs and universities, and we see Chinese propaganda disseminated on
   our campuses."The goal was to enhance the Justice Department's
   investigation and prosecution of these Chinese efforts.

   Under current attorney general William Barr, the Justice Department has
   put additional resources into the effort.In July, FBI Director
   Christopher Wray said the bureau had nearly 2,500 China-related
   counter-intelligence cases.

   "The Chinese Communist Party's theft of sensitive information and
   technology isn't a rumor or a baseless accusation," FBI Director
   Christopher Wray said in a statement."It's very real, and it's part of
   a coordinated campaign by the Chinese government, which the China
   Initiative is helping to disrupt."

   The FBI, Wray added, opensanew China-related counterintelligence case
   nearly every 10 hours and"we'll continue our aggressive efforts to
   counter China's criminal activity."

   Thetough rhetoriccomesamidrisingtensionsbetween the U.S. and China over
   an array of issues including the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong's
   sovereignty and China's military posture in the South China Sea.

.