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The Federal Communications Commission has established the National Security Council to strengthen the US defense against China’s cyber attacks and to help China stand ahead of its core technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
New FCC Chair Brendan Kerr said he is establishing a council to strengthen the agency’s focus on “a permanent and constant threat from foreign enemies, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.”
“These bad actors are constantly exploring ways to violate our network, devices and technology ecosystem. It’s more important than ever for the FCC to be vigilant and protect Americans and American businesses from these threats,” he said.
He added that “it is important for the FCC national security efforts to extract resources from various FCC organizations,” as the threat was reduced across sectors regulated by the Commission.
Kerr said the council has many objectives, including US vulnerability to cyberattacks, spying and surveillance by hostile states, and reducing supply chain reliance on enemies.
He added that the US is trying to ensure that it “won the strategic competition with China over critical technologies” that includes 5G and 6G, AI, satellites and space, quantum computing and autonomous systems.
The council is led by Adam Chang, a lawyer who previously worked for the House China Committee, which was established by the assembly in 2023, and focuses on security threats from Beijing.
The FCC has traditionally focused on regulating telecom providers, but its role has expanded as the Washington and Beijing fight over technology intensifies.
The Commission has jurisdiction over issues as widespread as drones’ certifications for critical subsea communication cable regulations. These are two regions the US is wary of due to the rising national security threat from China.
The early focus is expected to be salt typhoons. This is a month-long Chinese attack on US telecommunications networks that allow hackers to target unencrypted phones, which has been said by former US national security adviser Jake Sullivan as “unique” in its size.
The FCC is one of several agencies involved in helping telcos to strengthen their networks and stop intrusions.
The creation of the council is the latest initiative by the US government to take a more holistic and intensive approach to the wider threats from China by bringing resources from various institutions.
In 2021, the CIA created a “China Mission Center” and raised the agency’s focus in Beijing. The State Department created a similar structure known as the “Chinese House.” At the Department of Commerce, the Bureau of Industry and Security has stepped up efforts to make it more difficult for China to acquire important US technologies, particularly in the areas of AI and chips.
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The new council is expected to shift the FCC focus from individual Chinese organizations to a more sectoral approach. Some critics of America’s efforts to tackle the threat from Beijing have pointed to loopholes that allow Chinese groups to avoid punitive action, such as changing their names.
“The council shows how Chairman Kar wants to promote China’s agenda under his leadership, and considers the FCC to be a frontline tool for the Chinese Conference, similar to what the BIS will be.”
Sayers said the council will compete with China in fewer traditional areas, including cloud, AI data centers, drones, connected vehicles, “internet of things” devices and home appliances.
The Chinese Embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
