China poses an ‘epoch-defining’ challenge to Western countries, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre is expected to say.
Director Lindy Cameron will use a speech in Belfast this week to warn the UK and allies of the ‘dramatic rise of China as a technology superpower’.
This comes as the US, the UK and other Western nations try to catch up with the growing influence of the republic and the security threat it poses.
Concerns about China using TikTok to expand its impact globally have already seen the UK government ban ministers from using the video-sharing app on their work phones.
The House of Commons and the Lords also decided to veto it across the Palace of Westminster.
But Ms Cameron will extend her warning beyond use of TikTok, and stress that the UK must keep up with China’s technological advances, or risk having them control cyberspace.
She is expected to say: ‘We cannot secure future technology without addressing the epoch-defining challenge that we are facing – the dramatic rise of China as a technology superpower.
‘China has identified several existing and emerging technologies as being vital to its future national security.
‘And it has an aspiration to become a world leader in setting technological standards.
‘So we need to be clear. China is not only pushing for parity with western countries, it is aiming for technical supremacy. It will use its tech strength as a lever to achieve a dominant role in global affairs.
‘Bluntly we cannot afford not to keep pace otherwise we risk China becoming the predominant power in cyberspace.’
US lawmakers are also pushing through a TikTok ban over national security worries.
House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter: ‘The House will be moving forward with legislation to protect Americans from the technological tentacles of the Chinese Communist party.’
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