US National Intelligence Agency: "China Maintains Cooperation with Russia... Will Confront the US"

Despite repeated warnings from the United States and other Western countries, U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that China will maintain its cooperation with Russia, which invaded Ukraine.

On the 8th (local time), the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) stated in the "Annual Threat Assessment by U.S. Intelligence Agencies" report that "Despite global backlash against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China will continue diplomatic, defense, economic, and technological cooperation with Russia." The report added, "This is an ongoing challenge to the United States," and predicted that China will continue to exert military power through navigation and flights in the Taiwan Strait to confront the U.S.

The report also included an assessment that China could surpass the U.S. in space capabilities in the future. It expressed concern, saying, "China is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming a world-class space leader," and "By 2030, except for a few space technology fields, it may achieve a global-level status." Intelligence agencies evaluated that these space activities are designed to elevate China's global standing and weaken U.S. influence in military, technological, economic, and diplomatic fields.

Currently, U.S. intelligence agencies assess that China is readjusting its nuclear posture out of concern over a U.S. preemptive strike. The report diagnosed, "China worries that bilateral tensions, U.S. nuclear modernization, and the People's Liberation Army's improved conventional capabilities increase the possibility of a U.S. preemptive strike."

On the same day, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, stated at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing that the Chinese Communist Party is convinced that to realize President Xi Jinping's vision of making China a global superpower, it must undermine U.S. power and influence. She predicted that the coming years will be critical as strategic competition with China and Russia intensifies.

Additionally, the report pointed out that the risk of conflict between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasing due to the war in Ukraine. Regarding North Korea, it diagnosed, "Chairman Kim Jong-un views nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as the ultimate means to guarantee his dictatorship and believes that over time, the international community will recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state," adding, "He has no intention of abandoning these (nuclear) programs."