Former intelligence official confirms Chinese factory will definitely send spies to the US.

Chinese Company Building Battery ⁣Factory in Michigan Will “100 Percent” Bring Spies, Former Intelligence Official ⁤Warns

Former intelligence⁢ official Bill Evanina told Congress⁢ Wednesday that a Chinese company trying to build ​a battery ⁢factory in Michigan will “100 percent”‍ bring spies to the United ​States.

Evanina, who served as director of the National Counterintelligence‍ and Security Center, was asked by Rep. John Moolenaar (R., Mich.)⁢ if it‍ is “basically a guarantee⁣ that some of the people who⁣ come from China to work ⁣on this project will⁣ spy ​for the CCP.” Evanina responded, “100 percent.”

“There will be an effort by the Communist‌ Party of China to infiltrate that capability via cyber, human, and hybrid ‌methods,” Evanina told the Select Committee on ‍the Chinese Communist Party during a Wednesday hearing Wednesday. “Using businessmen, engineers, and what we call the⁢ non-traditional collectors,‍ they will go over and above ​to implement their methods in that particular technology that’s in your district.”

Michigan Battery‍ Plants ⁤Under Scrutiny for CCP Ties

• The project is one of two planned battery plants in Michigan⁤ that have come under ‌scrutiny for CCP ties in ‌the past year.
• Gotion Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of China-based Gotion High-Tech Co., is set to build a $2.4 billion ‍electric vehicle battery plant​ near Big Rapids, Mich., and has received more than $700 ​million in state and local incentives.
• Another project in the southern part of⁤ the state involving Ford and​ another Chinese battery ‌manufacturer, CATL, has ⁤drawn similar scrutiny.
• Federal lawmakers, including⁤ select ​committee chair Rep. Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), are asking Ford for licensing ⁢documents and more information ‌on the deal.

Federal regulators last month declined to review the⁣ Gotion‌ project after state lawmakers gave ⁣final approval in April.

CATL, Ford’s Chinese partner, has been bolstered by the Chinese⁢ Communist Party ‍in⁢ recent years with investments, ⁤subsidies, and favorable regulations.

Concerns Over Chinese Influence ⁣and Technology Theft

• Both projects come as lawmakers and regulators in Washington raise concerns about ‌Chinese influence in the U.S. economy and theft of American technology.
• Beijing-linked hackers earlier this month compromised the emails of thousands of⁣ U.S.⁣ officials, including⁢ the U.S.⁣ ambassador to China and Commerce⁣ Secretary Gina Raimondo.

“The CCP is working ⁤to attract American ‍scientists through its Thousand Talents program, hacking ​America’s ​most innovative companies, and stealing our discoveries and know-how ​while punishing dissidents within and beyond ⁢its own borders,” Josh Wolfe, cofounder of venture capital ⁤firm Lux Capital, told the​ select ⁤committee Wednesday evening.

Investigation ⁣into U.S. ⁣Investments ‌in Chinese Tech Ventures

The select committee said ‌last week‌ it is ‌ investigating U.S.⁣ investments in Chinese tech ventures, saying⁤ American firms could be ​aiding China’s military advancement and human rights⁤ abuses.

“It’s ⁤one thing ‌to think about⁤ the Belt and Road Initiative,” Wolfe said. “It’s another thing if you are handing somebody the belt to tie around ⁢your neck.”

Published under: China