Biden CIA nominee Burns: competition with China key to U.S. security

U.S. President Joe Biden's nominee to be director of the CIA, veteran diplomat William Burns, said on Wednesday that success in combating China is essential to U.S. national security.

"Out-competing China will be key to our national security in the days ahead," Burns said in his opening statement at his Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing. He called China "a formidable, authoritarian adversary," that is strengthening its ability to steal intellectual property, repress its people, expand its reach and build influence within the United States.