Webcast

China’s Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets: A Talk with David R. Shedd

December 16, 2025 • 1:00 – 1:45 pm EST

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Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET, for a virtual discussion withDavid R. Shedd, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), on his new book,The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets. The book examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has carried out one of the largest-scale thefts of intellectual property, technology, and data in history.

Mr. Shedd will sit down withDr. Seth G. Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department, to discuss how China has carried out the biggest illegal transfer of capital, technology, and data in history over the past 30 years. They will discuss how the Chinese government-backed espionage to clone and steal American technology and economic power across many industries, including military equipment, microchips, and telecommunications.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

David R. Shedd

David R. Shedd served in the U.S. government for over 30 years. In August 2014, he was named Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency following four years of service as Deputy Director. Until January 2015, he led the Defense Intelligence Enterprise workforce comprising more than 16,500 military and civilian employees worldwide. From May 2007 to August 2010, Shedd served as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Deputy Director for Policy, Plans and Requirements. Prior to that, Shedd served in a number of capacities in the DNI, National Security Council, CIA, and in U.S. embassies overseas. Since leaving the federal government in February 2015, Shedd has served as a Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow and an Adjunct Professor at Patrick Henry College. He works as an independent national security consultant, serves on several corporate Boards, and is actively supporting several Missions/NGOs such as Justice & Mercy International and Samaritan's Purse.