Chinese hackers determined to 'wreak havoc' on US critical infrastructure, FBI warns
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00:00 An ominous warning from the director of the FBI.
00:04 Speaking at a congressional committee, Christopher Wray said that Chinese government-backed hackers
00:09 were gearing up to cause real-world harm to Americans.
00:13 "China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc
00:20 and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities if and when China decides
00:26 the time has come to strike.
00:29 Low blows against civilians are part of China's plan."
00:34 The warning came the same day that US officials said they had intercepted an extensive Chinese
00:38 hacking operation attributed to a group known as Vault Typhoon.
00:44 The group allegedly infiltrated hundreds of routers to access sensitive infrastructure,
00:49 allegations that a spokesperson at China's embassy in Washington dismissed as "irresponsible
00:54 criticism."
00:55 On Wednesday, Wray said hackers are targeting critical infrastructure, including the power
01:00 grid, water treatment plants and oil and gas pipelines.
01:05 An alarming prospect, the committee's chairman said.
01:08 "This is the cyberspace equivalent of placing bombs on American bridges, water treatment
01:16 facilities and power plants.
01:18 The sole purpose is to be ready to destroy American infrastructure, which would inevitably
01:24 result in chaos, confusion and potentially mass casualties."
01:29 Beijing has, in the past, denied claims of hacking attempts.
01:33 In recent weeks, both US and Chinese officials have tried to ease hostilities between the
01:37 two superpowers.
01:38 US media reported that in November, Xi Jinping told Joe Biden that Beijing would not tamper
01:44 with the 2024 US election.
01:47 But tensions continue to run high over a range of issues, including the status of self-ruled
01:52 Taiwan, trade and Beijing's human rights record.
01:56 [BLANK_AUDIO]