Cyberspying 'straining US capacity to respond'

• Source: Global Times
• [09:40 October 23 2009]
• Comments

However, the report said the attack was likely supported by the Chinese government, because of the "professional quality" of the operation and the technical nature of the stolen information, which is not easily sold by rival companies or criminal groups.

Wang Baodong, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, criticized the commission as "a product of Cold War mentality," according to the Wall Street Journal.

"Accusations of China conducting, or 'likely conducting' as the commission's report indicates, cyberspace attacks or espionage against the US are unfounded and unwarranted," Wang added.

"It is a step to push cyber-security efforts in the US," Tang Lan said, adding that the ESRC released similar reports which suspected that the Chinese government was behind the plan in the past.

The ESRC has been carrying out research on China's capacity to conduct computer network operations both during peacetime and periods of conflict.

The report highlights several departments of China's military, the People's Liberation Army, as responsible for components of cyberspying. Together these divisions oversee electronic spying and attack efforts, as well as research and development.

"The report is also aimed at putting pressure on the Obama administration," Tang said, adding that little has been done since Obama outlined a cyber-security plan in late May.

Judicial Watch, a US public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced Wednesday that since the September 11 terrorist attacks, Iran and China lead the world in stealing sensitive US military equipment and technology, according to documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act from the Justice Department's National Security Division.

Agencies contributed to this story