US in jitters China could advance might on global stage: Report

The United States has been increasingly concerned that China will use its power in global supply chains to advance its political and military might, a report says.

The Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) issued by the Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday singled out China's dominance in technology sectors including semiconductors, critical minerals, batteries, solar panels, and pharmaceuticals.

"The government of China is capable of leveraging its dominant positions in key global supply chains in an attempt to accomplish its goals, although probably not without significant cost to itself," the report said.

The US intelligence community sees Beijing using its economic power in parallel with military strength to secure regional and global influence.

In space, China will probably be "world-class" by 2030 in all but a few specific technology areas. Also by that time, China's commercial space sector will be a major global competitor that could undercut the prices of Western rivals, the report said.

"China's dominance in these markets could pose a significant risk to US and Western manufacturing and consumer sectors if the Government of China was able to adeptly leverage its dominance for political or economic gain."

The report pointed to an April 2020 speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who said China sought to increase control of key supply chains to be "able to use those supply chain dependencies to threaten and cut off foreign countries during a crisis."

The report also singled out other distinct military challenges from China. It said the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force's conventional missile capabilities "probably" pose a serious threat to US forces and bases in East Asia. That could be a particular danger if China is able to take over Taiwan, it said.

China seizing Taiwan "probably would have wide-ranging effects, including disruption to global supply chains for semiconductor chips because Taiwan dominates production of cutting-edge chips."

China takes stunning lead over US in race for tech domination: Report

The report says China has prepared to become the world’s undisputed science and technology superpower.

On Thursday, China labeled the report a "slander" that "confuses black with white." Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing had no intention of challenging, threatening, or undermining the US or other countries. "China's development is to help the Chinese people live happy lives," Mao said at a daily press briefing. "We think the United States, as the only military superpower and a country armed to the teeth, should reflect on what it can and should do before criticizing other countries." She said the "US should meet China halfway" to normalize relations for the better of both countries and the international community.

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