UK Cyber Security Chief Warns Of Chinese Threat

China's global dominance in telecommunications networks could pose security threats for decades, Britain's cybersecurity chief warned in a speech in Singapore on Monday.

As countries move to roll out ultra-fast fifth-generation – 5G – mobile networks, concerns are mounting that Beijing could use hardware provided by Chinese firms to spy on Western governments.

"The strategic challenge of China's place in the era of globalised technology is much bigger than just one telecommunications equipment company ... it's a first order strategic challenge for us all," the head of Britain's GCHQ cybersecurity agency Jeremy Fleming said.

"It's a hugely complex strategic challenge which will span the next few decades ... How we deal with it will be crucial for prosperity and security way beyond 5G contracts."

"We need a diversified market that is competing on quality and security, as well as price," Fleming said, adding that the potential risks of allowing Chinese firms into markets need to be fully understood.

Speaking in Singapore to government and military leaders from across Southeast Asia, Fleming said that half of Britain's 1,100 cyber attacks in the past two had a state actor behind it, naming groups from China and Russia.

"Our future security will be guaranteed not by the quality of our coding, the design of our silicon, or the cunning of our cyber operators, but by the bonds that tie us together and the relationships that give us confidence to act decisively against common threats," he added.

Last year, Australia banned Huawei equipment from its future 5G network while New Zealand has blocked its largest telecoms carrier from using Huawei technology in its rollout. (AFP)