US urges UK to block Chinese access to critical infrastructure

A senior US official has called on Britain to ban China from all critical infrastructure, warning that vulnerabilities in both countries’ systems are “a top concern of ours.”

They emphasised that the safety of the US and UK is “closely linked,” Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“Supply chain security is vital, particularly when you’re talking about Chinese tech,” the official said, describing the threat as a cross-sector problem requiring a Government-wide response. “Whether in the United States or the UK, [it] runs on electricity, water, rail transport. Everything feeding into that is private industry and is privately run and is being targeted.”

Concerns come amid scrutiny of China’s influence in the UK, including stakes in Heathrow Airport, universities, and the steel industry. “Beijing’s involvement in any part of that critical infrastructure supply chain needs to be scrutinised extremely closely and work in a zero-trust atmosphere,” the official said. “It’s just simply a threat to safety and security.”

The Government is expected to approve China’s new “super-embassy” in London within weeks, despite White House warnings about its proximity to critical communication cables. Ministers may also block a potential Chinese takeover of Thames Water, amid fears China could “switch off the taps.”

The US official warned: “China is an aggressive and capable adversary… China is the most capable, [it] has been the most aggressive in this space.” Recent operations codenamed “Salt Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon” reportedly targeted US infrastructure.

Former GCHQ chiefs have echoed concerns. Ciaran Martin said Beijing’s cyber capabilities represent “the most important shift in cyber threats to the West in more than a decade,” while Sir Jeremy Fleming noted Britain had been “far too free in allowing access to strategically important industries.”

The US official stressed a proactive approach is needed: “Just pure defence doesn’t get the job done… Our safety and security is very, very closely linked. Many of the companies that service your critical infrastructure service ours, or are American companies.”

The Chinese Embassy said its government “has always required Chinese enterprises operating overseas to strictly comply with local laws and regulations”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev