Defense and National Security News

From Washington By Bill Gertz National Security Correspondent, The Washington Times

Beijing-linked hackers charged with targeting over 100 U.S. companies, including video game firms

Sept. 16, 2020

Los Alamos National Lab scientist recruited by China, sentenced

Sept. 15, 2020

A former scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory where U.S. nuclear weapons are designed was sentenced to probation and a fine for lying to an Energy Department counterspy operation about his recruitment by the Chinese government.

Chinese intelligence hackers target U.S. government network, DHS says

Sept. 14, 2020

Hackers linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security are engaged in cyberattacks against U.S. government networks, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.

'Riding the Dragon': Documentary probes Hunter Biden's dealing in China

Sept. 14, 2020

Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, worked for a Shanghai investment firm involved in government- and military-linked deals that bolstered the Chinese military, including the purchase of an American auto parts maker, according to a new documentary film.

Pompeo hits China state media for spiking ambassador's op-ed

Sept. 10, 2020

China launches reusable robotic spacecraft that mimics Air Force craft

Sept. 4, 2020

China on Friday launched a reusable spacecraft that appears to be Beijing’s answer to the secretive U.S. X-37 space plane.

Pentagon sees China military on track for global superpower status

Sept. 1, 2020

China is on track to double the size of its nuclear warhead stockpile while expanding foreign military bases capable of attacking the United States — worrying signs that Beijing is seeking global superpower status, the Pentagon warned in its annual survey of the Chinese military released Tuesday.

Pompeo: Chinese tech ban makes TikTok sale to U.S. buyer uncertain

Aug. 31, 2020

China's announcement Saturday that it may block the export of key technology has thrown into question the proposed forced sale of the popular video app TikTok to an American company, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.

China test-fires 'carrier-killer' missile as U.S. announces new sanctions

Aug. 26, 2020

China on Wednesday conducted flight tests of two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the South China Sea, just hours before the Trump administration unveiled new sanctions on Chinese officials and companies over militarization of the disputed waterway.

Michael Pack blasts Open Technology Fund: 'More concerned about covering up corruption'

Aug. 25, 2020

The head of U.S. foreign broadcasting is clashing with the taxpayer-financed fund to promote open internet access around the world, saying the Open Technology Fund management is opposing efforts to monitor its funding.

Democratic Party platform drops 'One China' language on Taiwan

Aug. 23, 2020

The Democratic Party platform adopted at last week’s nominating convention dropped any reference to the U.S. policy of recognizing a single China in reference to unofficial American ally Taiwan.

Pentagon now probing soldiers' appearance in Biden roll call

Aug. 19, 2020

The Army confirmed Wednesday it was investigating two soldiers who appeared during the virtual roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday in apparent violation of military rules barring troops from taking part in political events.

U.S. government broadcast agency revives campaign for internet freedom

Aug. 18, 2020

The agency that oversees U.S. government broadcasting outlets says it is putting new life into efforts to penetrate internet firewalls in closed nations such as China.

U.S. tightens screws on Huawei sanctions

Aug. 17, 2020

The Trump administration on Monday imposed new restrictions on sales of microchips to China's Huawei Technologies aimed at further curtailing the company's ability to build smartphones.

Former CIA officer charged with spying, selling defense secrets to China

Aug. 17, 2020

A veteran CIA officer and former FBI linguist was charged Monday with selling U.S. defense secrets and the identities of CIA officers to China in exchange for cash and expensive gifts, including a new set of golf clubs.

Frenemies at the gate: U.S. granted security access to China, Iran

Aug. 8, 2020

Foreign nationals from countries such as China and Iran were granted security clearances by the U.S. government agency in charge of broadcasting, jeopardizing national security, according to officials and internal documents from the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Top U.S. tech executives face grilling on China dealings

Aug. 2, 2020

America’s technology giants came under fire from House Republicans last week, accused of working with China and in the case of Google, indirectly helping the Chinese military improve targeting for a new stealth fighter jet.

Revolutionary microchip hailed as 'generational' breakthrough that will upend defense tech

July 30, 2020

An energy-efficient microchip under development combines different types of processors into one chip and is expected to revolutionize commercial and defense technology, the advanced semiconductor's inventor says.

U.S. to order drastic reduction in Chinese diplomats amid surge in spy cases

July 28, 2020

The Trump administration is preparing to order China to sharply reduce the number of diplomats posted in the United States to levels equal to the number of American diplomats stationed in China, senior State Department officials said.

Singaporean consultant pleads guilty to working as Chinese agent

July 24, 2020

A Singaporean national pleaded guilty Friday to operating as a covert Chinese intelligence agent in the U.S. who recruited an Army officer and State Department and Pentagon officials as unwitting agents.

'Distrust and verify': Pompeo equates approach to China as similar to Soviets

July 23, 2020

YORBA LINDA, California -- Past American policies of engagement with China have only bolstered the ruling Communist Party and the world must pressure Beijing and liberate the Chinese people, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.

U.S. says Russia tested anti-satellite weapon in space

July 23, 2020

Russia conducted an anti-satellite weapons test in space this month, the U.S. Space Command said Thursday.

Mike Pompeo defends Trump's hawkish line against China

July 21, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week will deliver a major speech on the shortcomings of American foreign policy toward China, arguing that the record clearly supports President Trump’s new and tougher approach to Beijing.

Attorney General Barr condemns corporate America's appeasement of China

July 16, 2020

A slate of major American businesses are appeasing China's communist rulers in a bid to gain market access and favorable trade status with Beijing, Attorney General William P. Barr said Thursday, warning that the U.S. firms are being duped by Chinese officials who seek ultimately to dominate the global market.

Trump administration rejects nearly all of Beijing's claims in South China Sea

July 13, 2020

The Chinese government's expansive claims to own most of the South China Sea are illegal under international law, the Trump administration said Monday as it ramped up U.S. efforts to undermine Beijing's increasingly militarized activities in the strategic waterway.

White House tech adviser gets Pentagon CTO post

July 13, 2020

President Trump has designated his White House technology adviser to take up the influential post of chief technology officer (CTO) at the Pentagon, according to White House and Pentagon officials.

U.S. sees opening in Chinese shift on arms talks

July 9, 2020

The Trump administration on Thursday said it welcomed what it said was China's apparent openness to joining strategic arms control talks, after Beijing earlier rejected three-way negotiations with Russia on limits to its growing nuclear arsenal.

Trump aides press railroad pension fund to cut Chinese investments

July 8, 2020

The White House on Wednesday pressured a second federal retirement fund to pull out hundreds of millions of dollars from American workers' retirement funds from Chinese companies that have been linked to Beijing's military and to human rights abuses.

China engaged in large-scale campaign to subvert U.S. government, private sector: FBI

July 7, 2020

Chinese intelligence agents and diplomats are actively subverting U.S. policies through bribery, blackmail and covert influence operations, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said Tuesday in a major policy address.

New foreign broadcasting chief cleans house, pushes pro-America reporting

July 6, 2020

The U.S. government's foreign broadcasting services have suffered in recent years from a lack of leadership, and the Trump administration's new broadcasting chief says he wants to fix the problem.

U.S. cuts high-tech sales to China to protest Hong Kong crackdown

June 30, 2020

The Trump administration said it was now blocking transfers of sensitive U.S. technology to Hong Kong after China on Tuesday formally put in place a harsh new national security law on the former British territory.

Pentagon: Major Chinese companies have close military links

June 25, 2020

The Pentagon on Thursday revealed the names of 20 Chinese companies linked to the People's Liberation Army operating directly or indirectly in the United States, in a bid to halt Beijing from obtaining military-related goods.

Trump's national security adviser lays out stinging critique of threat posed by China

June 24, 2020

PHOENIX — Decades of coaxing China's rulers into moderating the communist system backfired and instead have produced the "greatest failure of American foreign policy since the 1930s," President Trump's top security aide argued in a major policy address Wednesday.

U.S. chides China for not showing up to nuclear arms talk

June 23, 2020

China, as promised, was a no-show at a new round of nuclear arms talks between the United States and Russia in Vienna, even as Washington and Moscow agreed to hold further meetings to work toward a new arms control treaty.

China conducting covert biological weapons research, State Dept. says

June 23, 2020

China is conducting clandestine biological weapons-related research and has failed to disclose past offensive germ weapons work, according to a State Department report made public Tuesday.

FCC takes down Chinese 'border blaster' over propaganda fears

June 22, 2020

The Federal Communications Commission has rejected a permit that would have allowed Chinese-language broadcasts from a Mexican radio station in Baja California over concerns that the station would beam Chinese government propaganda into the United States.

Large-scale Russian treaty violations revealed on eve of new talks

June 21, 2020

The Trump administration revealed on the eve of new arms talks with Russia nine major arms control agreement compliance failures by Moscow.

A fundamental challenge': William Barr says U.S. is cracking down on Chinese spying

June 21, 2020

Attorney General Bill Barr said on Sunday that the Justice Department is cracking down on Chinese intelligence gathering operations targeting the United States.

Bolton book will cause 'exceptionally grave damage': NSA director

June 19, 2020

The forthcoming book by former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton contains top-secret information and its publication will compromise a National Security Agency electronic spy source, according to the NSA director.

U.K. assassination attempt reveals illegal Russian chemical weapons push

June 19, 2020

A Russian covert military operation to poison a defector living in Britain two years ago revealed Moscow has violated a treaty banning the use of chemical weapons, according to a new State Department report made public Thursday.

Justice Department seeks restraining order on John Bolton book

June 17, 2020

The Justice Department is asking a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent publication of classified information it says is contained in a forthcoming book by former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton.

Justice agency opposes high-speed cable link to Hong Kong

June 17, 2020

The Justice Department on Wednesday asked the Federal Communications Commission to block a high-speed underwater cable linking the United States and Hong Kong, citing concerns about Chinese electronic spying.

From Mao's China to Foggy Bottom: Miles Yu a key player in new approach to Beijing

June 15, 2020

Miles Yu began life in rural China amid the madness of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, when Red Guard zealots roamed the country trashing and killing all vestiges of tradition and capitalism in the country.

Q&A: Inspired by Reagan to come to America, Miles Yu now helps form China policy

June 15, 2020

Miles Yu, who witnessed the devastation of Mao's Cultural Revolution as a boy growing up in China, has now emerged as one of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s most influential advisers on U.S.-Sino relations. Below are excerpts of an interview Washington Times correspondent Bill Gertz recently conducted with Mr. Yu, now a senior member of the policy planning staff in Mr. Pompeo's office.:

White House: Intelligence agencies missed early signs of coronavirus pandemic

June 9, 2020

U.S. intelligence agencies missed reporting on the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak in late January that would soon lead to a deadly global pandemic, according to White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.

Top VOA officials resign as Trump appointee takes charge

June 15, 2020

The director of the Voice of America and her top deputy resigned Monday following the recent Senate confirmation of the Trump administration's pick to oversee all U.S. government broadcasting.

Zoom under fire for muzzling accounts of China critics

June 11, 2020

The popular videoconferencing platform Zoom is under fire after the U.S. company shut down an account used by dissidents in the United States and China to host an online vigil marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

White House: Intelligence agencies missed early signs of coronavirus pandemic

June 9, 2020

U.S. intelligence agencies missed reporting on the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak in late January that would soon lead to a deadly global pandemic, according to White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien.

Traffic, internet searches point to much earlier coronavirus outbreak in China

June 9, 2020

Satellite photographs of hospital traffic and data on local internet searches indicate the coronavirus outbreak in China may have begun as early as last summer, months earlier than previously thought, according to a new study published by the Harvard University.

Mike Pompeo slams 'obscene' Chinese propaganda on riots

June 6, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denounced Chinese Communist Party propaganda aimed at fueling U.S. civil unrest and seeking to further divide Americans.

Pompeo, Hong Kong protesters mark Tiananmen Square anniversary

June 4, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo honored pro-democracy protesters behind mass protests that ended with a Chinese military massacre in June 1989, even as a new generation of pro-democracy activists took to the streets in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark the crackdown.

Antifa planned anti-government insurgency for months, law enforcement official says

June 3, 2020

Activists of the far-left Antifa movement began planning to foment a nationwide anti-government insurgency as early as November as the U.S. presidential campaign season kicked off in earnest, according to a law enforcement official with access to intelligence behind the shadowy group.

Russia to let fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden stay in Moscow

June 3, 2020

The Russian government has extended the residence permit of renegade National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Crackdown on visas for students, researchers latest U.S. shot in mounting feud with China

June 1, 2020

The State Department on Monday announced it will restrict visas for Chinese students and researchers who are working in the U.S. and are linked to the People’s Liberation Army, the Chinese military..

Trump, Biden forgo FBI counterintelligence briefings

May 28, 2020

The campaigns of President Trump and presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden have turned down offers for counterintelligence briefings on threats to the coming election, a senior U.S. intelligence official has told The Washington Times.

U.S. indicts North Koreans, Chinese for illegal financial deals

May 28, 2020

U.S. prosecutors have indicted 28 North Koreans and five Chinese nationals as part of a global network of companies charged with circumventing U.S. sanctions by covertly accessing the American financial system.

Canada court rules against Meng

May 27, 2020

A Canadian Supreme Court judge on Wednesday ruled against Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer for Huawei Technologies, who is battling extradition to the United States on charges related to the Chinese high-tech giant's dealings with Iran.

Purge stifles anti-Trump resistance at White House, ODNI

May 26, 2020

Cuts of hundreds of staff members at the White House and at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have curbed leaks and stifled anti-Trump activists within both agencies, according to senior administration officials.

Pompeo: Russia using Open Skies Treaty for data on cruise missile targets

May 21, 2020

Russia is using intelligence obtained from U.S. and European overflights under the Open Skies Treaty to plan future cruise missile strikes on infrastructure targets, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed yesterday.

Australian researchers see virus design manipulation

May 21, 2020

A forthcoming Australian scientific study concludes that the coronavirus causing the global pandemic contains unique properties suggesting it was manipulated in a Chinese laboratory and was not the result of a natural occurrence.

Mike Pompeo sees world waking up to need to confront China, Communist leaders

May 20, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday stepped up his harsh criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, accusing Beijing of destroying coronavirus samples needed to deal with the global pandemic.

Clinton White House official among 39 U.S. officials who unmasked Flynn

May 15, 2020

A former White House official in the administration of President Bill Clinton was among the 39 U.S. officials and Obama administration appointees who, in 2016, sought the identity of an American caught in foreign signals intelligence reports later revealed to be retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

Chinese deception fuels fears of ethnic biological weapons 'experiments'

May 14, 2020

Chinese government deception regarding the coronavirus outbreak is raising new fears about Beijing’s biological weapons activities, including population-specific research on germ weapons capable of attacking ethnic groups, according to current and former U.S. officials.

Mike Pompeo denounces Chinese hacking of U.S. vaccine research

May 14, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday denounced Chinese hacking of American vaccine research and demanded Beijing halt the cybertheft activity.

China ramping up coronavirus disinformation campaign on Twitter, State Dept. says

May 9, 2020

China's Communist Party and government are stepping up the use of Twitter to spread disinformation that Wuhan was not the origin of the coronavirus outbreak and that China is helping the world recover, the State Department said.

Envoy says China is key to new arms deal with Russia

May 7, 2020

The United States is unlikely to extend the New START arms treaty with Russia by next year's deadline unless China is also part of the deal, the Trump administration’s new presidential envoy for arms control said.

Mike Pompeo presses case against China over virus origin cover-up, Taiwan

May 6, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called on China to provide virus samples from the coronavirus outbreak and blamed Beijing for covering up dangers posed by the disease in persecuting Wuhan doctors.

White House hails doctors who exposed coronavirus cover-up in rare Chinese-language address

May 4, 2020

The Chinese doctors who sounded the alarm over the government cover-up of the coronavirus disease outbreak are heroes of democracy like those of a century ago, the White House deputy national security adviser said Monday.

Trump suggests China let virus spread on purpose

May 4, 2020

President Trump offered a new explanation for China's mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak, suggesting Beijing may have deliberately allowed infected travelers to leave the country.

DNI says coronavirus origin being investigated

April 30, 2020

U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating whether the coronavirus behind the current pandemic originated from infected animals at a market, or escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan, the office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said Thursday.

Wuhan lab 'most likely' coronavirus source, U.S. government analysis finds

April 24, 2020

A Wuhan laboratory is the "most likely" source of the COVID-19 outbreak now ravaging the globe, according to a U.S. government analysis that catalogs the evidence and concludes that other explanations for the origin of the coronavirus are less credible.

MIT cancels China AI firm contract over human rights concerns

April 24, 2020

MIT has canceled a research contract with a Chinese artificial intelligence firm linked to human rights abuses against Uighurs and China's military buildup.

Coronavirus origins in lab not ruled out by scientific studies

April 20, 2020

A scientific study recommended by White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci pointing to the origin of coronavirus pandemic as a jump from animals to humans also concludes it cannot be ruled out that the virus may have escaped from a laboratory.

Senior Chinese security official under investigation

April 19, 2020

China's Communist Party announced Sunday that a senior Public Security Ministry is under investigation - another apparent political casualty of Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

'Not happy': Trump blasts China's fumbles as feds probe virus origins

April 19, 2020

President Trump said Sunday that he is "not happy" with China over the communist nation’s early fumbles in disclosing the novel coronavirus, as the U.S. government and intelligence agencies investigate the origins of the virus and whether Beijing initially concealed information about the outbreak.

Trump confirms U.S. investigating reports virus came from Chinese lab

April 17, 2020

President Trump on Friday confirmed that the U.S. government and intelligence agencies are investigating if the coronavirus outbreak began from poor security at a Wuhan laboratory.

Pompeo: China blocking access to lab suspected of coronavirus link

April 17, 2020

Joint Chiefs chairman: U.S. intel investigating whether coronavirus leaked from Wuhan lab

April 14, 2020

U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating whether the coronavirus may have leaked from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday.

China cracks down on coronavirus data as new report rebuts official death toll

April 13, 2020

The Chinese government has ordered new restrictions on studies regarding the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, in a further sign Beijing is hiding details behind the cause of the global pandemic..

Crack down on critic highlights growing opposition to Xi's rule

April 8, 2020

The investigation of a prominent Chinese Communist Party critic of President Xi Jinping is the latest sign of growing opposition to his rule in the aftermath of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

State Department targets Russian group for links to U.S. white nationalists

March 30, 2020

The Trump administration on Monday designated a Russian ultranationalist group as a terrorist organization, citing its links to paramilitary training and efforts to recruit U.S. white nationalists.

Thanks for nothing: U.S. scientists say China hampering search for virus origin

April 4, 2020

Chinese researchers isolated deadly bat coronaviruses near Wuhan animal market

March 30, 2020

Chinese government researchers isolated more than 2,000 new viruses, including deadly bat coronaviruses, and carried out scientific work on them just three miles from a wild animal market identified as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19, SARS share similarities, expert says

March 29, 2020

COVID-19 closely resembles the virus that caused the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in China 17 years ago and was not a surprise to experts in the field, according to a specialist at a leading research center that studied the virus.

Emergence of new bat virus was not a surprise

March 27, 2020

The new coronavirus behind the pandemic now affecting the global population closely resembles the virus that caused the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in China 17 years ago and was not a surprise, according to a specialist at a leading research center that studied the virus.

State Department marks bioweapons accord with reference to pandemic

March 26, 2020

The State Department on Thursday hailed the anniversary of an agreement limiting biological weapons by noting the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.

Pompeo accuses Chinese government of secrecy about coronavirus

March 25, 2020

China must provide more information about the nature of the coronavirus now ravaging populations and economies around the world, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

New law aims to block China from spying on U.S. telecommunications networks

March 24, 2020

President Trump on Tuesday signed a new law aimed at preventing China from penetrating American telecommunications networks for electronic spying and data collection.

China backs away from claims of U.S. coronavirus origin

March 23, 2020

Chinese officials and state-run media outlets appear to be backing away from inflammatory recent charges that the coronavirus pandemic was started by the U.S.

China still pushing story that U.S. behind virus crisis

March 20, 2020

China is continuing to spread a story falsely claiming the deadly coronavirus originated in the United States and was first spread in China by the U.S. Army — despite repeated denials from senior American leaders.

China 'overreacting' to U.S. pushback on disinformation, official says

March 18, 2020

China is overreacting to the Trump administration's efforts to compete with Beijing, stepping up disinformation like recent official efforts to blame the global pandemic on the American military, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.

Trump defends virus tweet as China kicks out more reporters

March 17, 2020

President Trump on Tuesday denounced China for falsely claiming the U.S. Army spread the deadly coronavirus in China, as Beijing condemned Mr. Trump's use of the phrase “Chinese Virus” and said it was expelling more U.S. journalists from the country.

Convicted Chinese agent gets four-year prison sentence in California

March 17, 2020

A U.S. agent for China's Ministry of State Security who pleaded guilty to spying charges was sentenced to four years in prison.

'Alternate reality': U.S. demands China halt coronavirus 'disinformation'

March 16, 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on China's Communist Party to halt disinformation spread by propaganda outlets claiming the novel coronavirus was first spread in China by the U.S. Army.

Communist China's propaganda arm blames coronavirus on U.S. Army

March 12, 2020

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday accused the U.S. Army of sending the coronavirus to China, a charge expected to be countered by the Trump administration as disinformation.

Another academic ensnared in Chinese recruitment program

March 11, 2020

A former physics professor at West Virginia University has been charged with secretly working for China's government as part of a covert plan to acquire sensitive technology from the United States.

Trump to pressure China to join New START deal to restrict its growing nuke arsenal

March 10, 2020

The Trump administration this week disclosed plans to seek an extension of the 2010 New START agreement to limit China's growing nuclear arsenal and restrict exotic new weapons not covered by the treaty.

Trump cracks down with order against Chinese software company

March 4, 2020

President Trump has ordered an American hotel management software company to divest from its Chinese owner, calling Beijing's stake in the firm a threat to U.S. national security.

Defense Secretary Esper presses Chinese general on 'unsafe' lasering of U.S. warplane

March 6, 2020

Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week confronted China’s defense minister over the Chinese military's use of a high-powered laser to illuminate a Navy patrol aircraft near Guam last month.

CIA targeted in virus disinformation campaign

March 4, 2020

Pentagon pressed on Russian, Chinese push in Arctic

March 3, 2020

The Pentagon needs more icebreakers and strategic ports and better communications to prevent Russia and China from controlling new sea lanes in the Arctic, senior military and defense officials told Congress on Tuesday.

U.S. charges two Chinese nationals in North Korea cryptocurrency scheme

March 3, 2020

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with laundering over $100 million in stolen cryptocurrency hacked by North Koreans in 2018, the Justice Department disclosed.

Navy slow to protest latest Chinese laser attack on P-8 jet

March 2, 2020

The State Department has protested the potentially dangerous firing of a "weapons-grade" laser by a Chinese warship last month against a Navy P-8 jet over the Pacific near Guam, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. eyes retaliation for Chinese moves against journalists

Feb. 24, 2020

The White House confirmed Monday it is considering retaliation for China's decision last week to order three American reporters to leave the country.

Chinese tech in U.S. funnels data to Beijing's intelligence services

Feb. 24, 2020

Leading Chinese technology companies have sold equipment to state governments in the U.S. that can be used by Beijing to obtain sensitive information, according to a security analysis made public Monday.

Trump isn't backing down, takes it to China with a pair of B-52 flights near Taiwan

Feb. 22, 2020

The United States and China are escalating their military duel near Taiwan by flying strategic bombers near the island state in recent days.

China's military buildup, global ambitions on collision course with U.S., Pentagon official warns

Feb. 20, 2020

China's decades long military buildup now poses a threat to U.S. security not just in Asia but also around the globe, and a confrontation with China could emerge at one of several flashpoints, a senior Pentagon official warned Thursday.

Trump set to retaliate after China expels U.S. journalists for 'racist' report

Feb. 19, 2020

The Trump administration is planning to retaliate for China's expulsion Wednesday of three U.S. journalists over an editorial Beijing claimed was "racist," escalating a clash over media access and freedoms that has broken out between the two countries.

'Free rein' no longer: How the State Department is cracking down on Chinese working in U.S.

Feb. 18, 2020

U.S. claps back at China with two B-52 Stratofortress bomber flights near Taiwan

Feb. 17, 2020

The United States and China are escalating their military duel near Taiwan by flying strategic bombers near the island state in recent days.

Chinese general with bioweapons background takes leading role in coronavirus fight

Feb. 9, 2020

A Chinese general with a long record in biological warfare defense was dispatched to Wuhan at the end of January, fueling suspicions about the origin of the deadly virus and whether the outbreak is linked to a secure medical laboratory engaged in COVID-19 research.

Mike Pompeo's warning on China: 'More repression ... more aggressive military'

Feb. 9, 2020

China is engaged in aggressive influence and financial operations inside the United States as part of Beijing's program to obtain Western technology and influence American policies, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said this weekend..

U.S. forces in South Korea feel impact of Chinese coronavirus

Feb. 5, 2020

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- More than two dozen U.S. troops and others working with the American deployment here have been quarantined over concerns they may have been exposed to the deadly Wuhan virus during recent travel in China, a military spokesman said.

China denies lab link to coronavirus as questions over origin mount

Feb. 5, 2020

A Chinese Communist Party-affiliated newspaper has published the first semi-official response to reports the virus from Wuhan may have been produced in a government laboratory and was not caused by the natural transmission of an animal virus to humans.

After rebuffing U.S. offers, China asks for CDC's help to investigate Wuhan virus

Jan. 30, 2020

Beijing, after initially blocking requests from the United States, has agreed to permit authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take part in an international investigation of the global health crisis caused by the rapidly spreading Wuhan coronavirus.

U.S. Navy defies China with South China Sea operation

Jan. 29, 2020

The Navy recently conducted another warship passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea that China has claimed as its territory.

China silent amid growing doubts over coronavirus origins

Jan. 27, 2020

China's government stood silent Monday in the face of growing scientific reports that the source of the deadly Wuhan virus outbreak did not originate solely from a seafood market in the city.

Coronavirus may have originated in lab linked to China's biowarfare program

Jan. 26, 2020

The deadly animal-borne coronavirus spreading globally may have originated in a laboratory in the city of Wuhan linked to China's covert biological weapons program, said an Israeli biological warfare analyst.

Huawei theft prosecutions proceed despite U.S.-Chinese trade deal

Jan. 21, 2020

The U.S. government is moving ahead with its pursuit of criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies despite the temporary truce in the trade war between Washington and Beijing.

Kansas indictment reveals new details of Chinese high-tech recruiting

Jan. 17, 2020

Pompeo warns Silicon Valley execs not to work with Chinese military

Jan. 14, 2020

American technology firms should get rich from doing business in China but must do their part to counter the national security dangers posed by a Communist nation, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a speech Monday.

Bank case heightens doubts on China's commitments as trade deal looms

Jan. 13, 2020

A federal court case involving three Chinese banks is raising questions about Beijing's commitment to abide by agreements with the United States — a day before President Trump is scheduled to sign the first major trade deal of his administration with China.

China's crackdown in Hong Kong upends Taiwan election

Jan. 9, 2020

The growing threat posed by mainland China and the challenge to Beijing's reunification policy seen in mass protests in Hong Kong are providing the backdrop as voters in Taiwan go to the polls Saturday to pick the island's next president.

'Economic espionage': Special DOJ unit cracks down on China's illicit activities

Jan. 8, 2020

The Justice Department's special China unit is aggressively prosecuting technology theft and other illicit activities by Beijing's spies and government officials, a senior department official said in an interview.