Washington puts China on notice over cyber thefts
(03-12 11:34)
The White House called for “serious steps’’ by China to stop cyber theft, which it described as intolerable to the international community.
National Security adviser Tom Donilon's comments reflect growing concern in Washington over the security risk posed by cyber intrusions and the economic costs for America, AP reports.
Donilon said US businesses are increasingly speaking out about cyber theft of confidential business information and proprietary technologies emanating from China “on a very large scale.’’ He said Beijing “should take serious steps to investigate and put a stop to these activities'' and recognize the risk it poses to international trade and to US-China relations.
“The international community cannot afford to tolerate such activity from any country,’’ Donilon told the Asia Society in New York.
He called for China to engage in a constructive dialogue with the U.S. to establish “acceptable norms of behavior in cyberspace.’’
Donilon was speaking about the Obama administration's strategic commitment to greater US engagement in Asia. He said that despite reductions in the defense budget, the US would sustain its “rebalance’’ to the region as it winds down its military involvement in the Middle East.
Last month, US-based cyber security firm, Mandiant, issued a report accusing a secret Chinese military unit in Shanghai of years of cyber attacks against more than 140 companies, a majority of them American. Days later, the Obama administration announced new efforts to fight the growing theft of American trade secrets.
China denied being involved in cyber theft, and contended that its country has also been a victim of hacking, much of it traced to the United States.
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