The Swedish Security Service has designated the activities of China and Russia as one of the main factors that jeopardise national security, while also admitting that xenophobia and radical nationalism were on the rise in the country.
“In the past few years, we have seen that Russia, in particular, has improved its ability to actively and covertly influence other states. This makes it necessary to enhance the ability of the Security Service and other agencies tasked with combating crime and other grey area activities,” Klas Friberg, the head of the Swedish Security Service, said in a press release.
Stockholm also cited Beijing’s alleged use of cyberattacks as well as its growing economic influence through the acquisition of enterprises all over the world as a threat, according to the press release.