America’s Central Intelligence Agency is reportedly moving to create an Independent Mission Centre for China in a bid to “out spy” Beijing
President-elect Joe Biden announced on Jan. 11 he has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns to be his CIA director. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo
Mission Centres are independent entities but use CIA resources, with previous centres being created for major counterterrorism and intelligence operations.
It follows the Director of the Agency previously saying that China is at the top of his agenda, with the CIA currently positioning itself to reflect the “significance of this priority”.
At his Senate confirmation hearing, Director Burns said he would work tirelessly to combat China’s “predatory” leadership, fearing Beijing’s goal is to replace the US “as the world’s most powerful and influential nation.”
The agency’s Mission Centre may see China specialists deployed to locations around and the advancement of tech-based surveillance.