The US will increase its intelligence budget in a section of China next year by nearly 20 percent, said John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence. Some intelligence workers, including those who have been dealing with the fight against terrorism, will also be shifted to this direction.
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As the Wall Street Journal writes, this step reflects the “growing concern” of the US administration about the challenge China poses in the areas of economy, security and intelligence.
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John Ratcliffe, the director of the US National Intelligence, informed about the increase in funds in the Chinese section by nearly one-fifth compared to the previous year. In an interview with the daily “Wall Street, Jorunal” also explained that the shift of emphasis to China is not only about money, but also some workers, including those who are currently focusing on the fight against terrorism.
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US National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe at the White HouseEPA/Doug Mills
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“The greatest threat to democracy and freedom”
Ratcliffe said China was “the greatest threat to democracy and freedom” since World War II. In his opinion, Beijing wants to dominate the world “economically, militarily and technologically”.
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The exact amounts of the intelligence budget are secret, but it is expected to be around $ 85 billion in the fiscal year that began October 1.
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A September report by the House of Representatives intelligence committee concluded that the US intelligence community is not adequately addressing China’s multidimensional challenges. It called for funds to be managed in such a way as to focus more on Beijing’s actions.
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“It is imperative that the intelligence community adjusts its target and funding to tackle the broad range of challenges China poses to our national security more effectively,” Democrat chairman Adam Schiff said on Thursday. “This is an area of important cross-party consensus and a challenge that we must meet,” he said, pledging to work with the future administration of Joe Biden on this issue.
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Tension on the USA-China line
Washington-Beijing relations deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues at stake also include trade issues, Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, and the Chinese imposition of the Internal Security Act on Hong Kong.
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One example of tense relations is the US government’s listing of China’s largest chip maker SMIC and oil giant CNOOC this week on a blacklist of allegedly controlled by the PRC military. Beijing described the decision on Friday as persecution and an abuse of the idea of national security.
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photo-source">Main photo source: EPA/Doug Mills
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