The United States’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned America’s governors to be wary of Chinese spying.
He explained China is targeting individual US states in a strategic effort to expand its economic and political influence. He also said that a Chinese government-backed think tank has assessed all 50 governors on their attitude toward China and assigned each one a label: “friendly, hard-line or ambiguous.”
“So here’s the lesson. The lesson is the competition with China is not just a federal issue. It’s happening in your states with consequences for our foreign policy, for the citizens who reside in your states and indeed for each of you”, Pompeo said.
He urged all governors to be wary of Chinese investment and influence, including through contacts with Chinese diplomats, students and organizations:
“The Chinese government has been methodical in the way it has analyzed our system. It’s assessed our vulnerabilities and it has decided to exploit our freedom to gain advantage over us at the federal, state and the local level”, he said.
Pompeo warns US governors to be wary of Chinese spying
EPA-EFE/JIM LO SCALZO
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces the State Department will not renew sanction waivers for countries importing Iranian oil at the State Department in Washington, DC, USA, 22 April 2019. The increased pressure on Iran comes nearly one year after the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal. Pompeo also spoke briefly on the terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka.
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