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A leaked US intelligence report revealed that China is building sophisticated cyber weapons to “take control” of enemy satellites and render them useless for data signals or wartime surveillance.
The CIA-branded document released this year says China’s efforts to develop capabilities to “deny, exploit or hijack” enemy satellites were central to its objective of controlling information, which Beijing considered as a “key area of war”.
A cyber capability of this nature would far exceed anything Russia has deployed in Ukraine, where electronic warfare teams have taken a brute-force approach with little effect.
The revelation is the latest in documents leaked by a 21-year-old US Air Guard in the largest leak of US intelligence in more than a decade. Among other information, the files also revealed that the notorious Russian paramilitary group Wagner was failed to request arms from China This year.
This insight into Beijing’s war strategy also comes after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen gave a speech yesterday warning that decoupling from China would be “catastrophic” and “destabilizing for the rest of the world”.
For more on US-China relations:
Here’s what else is happening today:
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Eid: Markets are closed in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan to mark the end of Ramadan.
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Economic data : The UK has retail sales figures and the US is releasing employment data, both for the last month. S&P Global has its flash Purchasing Managers Indices for the UK, France, Germany and the Eurozone.
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Results: Report SAP SE, BB Biotech and Procter & Gamble.
Five other top stories
1. EXCLUSIVE: Swiss banking regulator is being sued by Credit Suisse investors which represents $4.5 billion of bonds wiped out in the government-orchestrated takeover of the bank by UBS, in the first claim brought by holders of the now worthless debt. Read the full story.
2. Twenty EU countries oppose honey in syrup from China and other exporters flooding the bloc’s €2.3 billion honey market. Beekeepers say imports drive prices down, risk misleading consumers and hurt small businesses. Learn About What One Official Called “Honey Laundering”.
3. US regional banks have largely halted deposit outflows which threatened their stability after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, but their profit margins are shrinking unexpectedly and rapidly. Here’s what we learned from mid-sized lenders who reported income this week.
4. Meta plans to lay off over 10% of its UK workforce and abandon Instagram’s new hub in London, eliminating at least 687 jobs. Learn about the Facebook owner’s latest restructuring effort.
5. UK consumer confidence hits highest level since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to data from research group GfK today. Its closely watched index rose six points to -30 this month, continuing a recovery from record lows of last year. Here are the factors behind the rise.
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The big interview
© Fede Yankelevitch
Ursula von der Leyen’s assertive style, including her advocacy for Ukraine’s EU membership, has created tension with regional leaders, some of whom worry about the overreach of an ambitious executive . With the European elections next year, will his vision of a more muscular Europe endure or become an artifact of the crisis years? Sam Fleming, head of the FT’s Brussels office, talks to the President of the European Commission.
We also read. . .
Card of the day
London is becoming less affordable for young people, driven out by soaring rents and exorbitant prices. As the city’s total population increases, the number of people aged 25 to 39 has fallen by almost 4% — a decline that has not been seen in any other country or region of the UK.
Take a break from the news
The Invisible Cake looks like something you’ve read about the tables at Hogwarts, but it’s a real thing. The craze may have started in Japan – or it could be French. As with so many Internet phenomena, it is difficult to trace. Try this recipe for invisible apple and poppy seed cakes.
Additional contributions from Gordon Smith and Emily Goldberg
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