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Pompeo says Trump resort arrest shows China’s threat
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The arrest of a Chinese woman who
allegedly brought malicious software to President Donald Trump’s Florida
resort shows that Beijing poses a threat, Secretary of State Mike Pence said
Friday.
Zhang Yujing was arrested last week at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump was on one
of his frequent visits, after attempting to enter while carrying multiple
mobile phones and a thumb drive containing malware, according to court
documents.
“I think this tells the American people the threat that China poses, the
efforts that they’re making here inside the United States not only against
government officials, but more broadly,” Pompeo said in an interview with CBS
News.
“The theft of American intellectual property is a big business to the tune
of hundreds of billions of dollars, and President Trump is determined to push
back against it,” he said.
He was referring to ongoing trade talks in which the United States is
pressing China to take action to protect intellectual property.
Pompeo said the administration was looking closely at the arrest but
declined further comment, saying the investigation was ongoing.
There has been no evidence presented publicly that Zhang was sent by the
Chinese government, although Beijing says it is providing consular
assistance.
Zhang was accused of making false statements to federal officers after
first claiming to be a member who wanted to use the pool, and then saying she
was attending a non-existent Chinese-American friendship event.
The security of Mar-a-Lago itself has drawn scrutiny in light of the
unusual situation of a president who frequently hobnobs with members who pay
to be part of his club.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0957 hrs