U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas warned of Chinese investment in communication infrastructure on Wednesday and said Washington hopes to cooperate with Singapore and other Asian countries in coping with cyber threats posed by the investment.
Mayorkas attended a cybersecurity event in Singapore and said that China is using its technology to tilt the global playing field to its benefit, cautioning against "a partner that could not be wholly trusted."
To counter the cyber threats, the United States formed an agreement with Singapore earlier this year, he said at a press conference held at the Singapore International Cyber Week, an event for policymakers and industry experts.
"There are other countries where we seek to really undertake those agreements," he said, adding Washington hopes to discuss them with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
During his trip to Singapore, the itinerary of which has not been disclosed, Mayorkas will also discuss maritime security in his meetings with Singaporean government officials.
Mayorkas said he will visit Japan after his Singapore trip.
