US intelligence says Chinese intellectual theft continues but ‘at lower volumes’

China continues to steal intellectual property and trade secrets from US companies for its own economic advancement and the development of its military but “at lower volumes” since the two countries forged an agreement in 2015 meant to curb the practice, according to a report published Thursday by American intelligence agencies.

The assessment, which also incorporates the findings of private sector security experts, comes amid roiling trade tension between the US and China that has spawned duelling tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.

It is unlikely to quell concerns from the White House that China continues to pose a significant threat to American companies.

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The report shows that China mounts a multifaceted approach to stealing secrets, which include computer software source codes, chemical formulas, and technology that can be used in weapons systems.

Though it relies on computer hacking, China also acquires technology and know-how through joint ventures and purchases of companies, academic and research partnerships, and front companies meant to “obscure the hand of the Chinese government” in order to acquire technologies governed by US export controls, the report found.

The findings were published by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees all US spy agencies.