FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered a chilling warning to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, shedding light on the escalating threats posed by Chinese government hackers infiltrating critical U.S. infrastructure. In his prepared remarks, Wray emphasized the glaring lack of public attention on a cyber threat that directly impacts “every American.”

He asserted that China’s hackers are strategically positioning themselves within American infrastructure, posing an imminent risk to citizens and communities if China decides to unleash havoc.

Wray’s cautionary words echo the assessments of external cybersecurity firms, including Microsoft, which revealed state-backed Chinese hackers actively targeting vital U.S. critical infrastructure. Their actions not only endanger the security of information but could potentially disrupt crucial communications between the U.S. and Asia during times of crisis.

Wray underscored the persistent threat from China, extending beyond hacking prowess to the relentless theft of scientific and industrial research from American businesses, despite China’s continuous denial of such allegations.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, spearheaded by Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, has faced criticism from Beijing for its commitment to countering China’s influence. Wray’s revelations align with U.S. officials’ concerns that Beijing is gearing up for potentially devastating cyberattacks in any future conflict, particularly surrounding Taiwan.

Wray drove home the urgency of the situation by disclosing that Chinese hackers are actively targeting critical elements like water treatment plants, electrical infrastructure, and oil and gas pipelines.

He stressed the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that cyber threats to critical infrastructure translate into tangible threats to the physical safety of Americans. Amid efforts to ease tensions between the U.S. and China, Wray maintained a skeptical stance, stating, “China’s promised a lot of things over the years, so I’ll guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”

The hearing unfolds against the backdrop of a broader government-wide attempt to thwart a persistent Chinese hacking effort, with U.S. officials fearing potential hindrance to a military response in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.