Thread by @haynesdeborah

NOW: Richard Moore, @ChiefMI6, is giving his first public speech as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) at @IISS_org

While the identity of the head of MI6 - and very existence of the agency - is no longer secret, Moore says giving speeches is still rare. “This is something I want to change”

Richard Moore describes China, Russia, Iran & international terrorism as still being the “Big Four” threats for the intelligence world. But shaping everything are advances in technology - a “white-hot focus” for #MI6

BREAKING: MI6 chief Richard Moore says “risk of miscalculation through over confidence” by China, such as under-estimating US resolve - “is real”.
Any China action on Taiwan = “serious challenge to global stability”
He says understanding China = “single greatest priority” for MI6

On China, the MI6 chief says the “tectonic plates” are shifting as its power and willingness to assert itself grows.

Moore says China is conducting “large scale espionage” operations against the UK & it’s allies - targets include those working in government & industry. “We are concerned by Chinese gov attempts to distort” public & political discourse “across the globe”

He also talks about Russia & Iran threats, then moves to international terrorism, talking in particular about potential for resurgent al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. He says the UK will need to combat threat from outside Afghanistan - “outside in”. “This is an extremely difficult task”

A little bit of a recruitment drive by Richard Moore as his speech wraps up: “Come and join!” He says there is a “no more important or exciting time to work for MI6”.

MI6 chief also pays tribute to his officers and stresses the importance MI6 places of protecting the agents around the world who they recruit. These people often risk their lives in the process. He says his intelligence officers take their secrets to the grave