Cyber Siege: Unmasking China's Assault on Global Networks

When Microsoft pointed fingers at 'state-backed' Chinese hackers infiltrating its servers, targeting a minimum of 60,000 global users, the revelation hardly came as a shock. It marked just another instance in the ongoing saga of Chinese cyberattacks. Mounting security apprehensions related to China have led to the banning or restriction of Huawei from 5G networks in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. FBI Director James Comey asserted in 2014, 'There are two types of big companies: those that have been hacked by the Chinese, and those that don’t know they have been hacked by the Chinese.' China boasts the world's largest surveillance network, utilizing technology for minority suppression, content censorship, and dissident surveillance. For decades, Western leaders held onto the belief that China's economic growth posed no threat to other nations. The hope was that China would confine its actions within its borders and, as the country embraced capitalism, also lean towards liberalism. Today, that optimism lies shattered. China consistently ranks as the primary source of cyberattacks. A fierce competition is underway for global technology leadership, with 5G networks deemed crucial for future development. Few companies are as strategically positioned to spearhead the 5G revolution as Huawei. However, the looming question persists: to what extent should Huawei be perceived as a threat? We delve into perspectives from key officials in America, Europe, and China.