Pompeo Warns Israel That Chinese Investment Into Country Could Hinder US Cooperation

While in Israel on a two-day visit, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the security risks of China’s continued investments in Israel could compromise future intelligence-sharing and other cooperation between the United States and its Middle Eastern ally. Pompeo made the comments during a March 21 interview with local Israeli broadcaster Channel 13.

“We want to make sure every country is wide-eyed and awake with regard to the policy threats posed by China,” he said, according to Times of Israel. “America will have to make decisions too. If certain systems go in certain places, then America’s efforts to work alongside you will be more difficult, and in some places we won’t be able to do so. “Intelligence sharing might have to be reduced, co-location of security facilities might have to be reduced, we want to make sure countries understand this and know the risks,” he added. The comments came on the heels of a new report on Israel-China relations published that same day by U.S. policy think tank RAND, which outlined “security concerns” and “espionage risks” associated with China’s ambitions to acquire high-tech through investments in Israeli tech firms. The Chinese regime also seeks to take advantage of Israel’s strategic geographic location to invest in infrastructure projects that benefit China’s trade—“with insufficient returns for Israel” and possibly putting the United States at risk, according to the report.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/pompeo-warns-israel-that-chinese-investment-into-country-could-hinder-us-cooperation-2_2849688.html