No Chinese soldiers engaging in cyber war: defense ministry

Source:Global Times-Agencies Published: 2013-3-1 1:18:01

 

A person walks past a 12-story building alleged in a report on Tuesday by the Internet security firm Mandiant to be the home of a Chinese military-led hacking group in Shanghai’s northern suburb of Gaoqiao. 
Photo: AFP
A person walks past a 12-story building alleged in a report on Tuesday by the Internet security firm Mandiant to be the home of a Chinese military-led hacking group in Shanghai’s northern suburb of Gaoqiao. Photo: AFP

 

China does not have any soldiers engaging in cyber warfare, a military spokesman said on Thursday.

Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, told a press briefing that the inclusion of "blue teams" in Chinese military drills is done to enhance the country's ability to safeguard cyber security and is not related to implementing cyber attacks.

"The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is working extensively at upgrading its technological capabilities and improving its ability to maintain cyber security," said Geng, noting that there is still a gap between Chinese military and other advanced military forces.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said two major Chinese military websites suffered an average of 144,000 foreign hacking attacks per month in 2012, with 62.9 percent from the US seen from the IP addresses.

The official website of the defense ministry and China Military Online, sponsored by the PLA Daily, have been severely threatened by cyber attacks since they were established, and the number of hacks has risen steadily in recent years, Geng said.

He made the remarks in response to a recent report released by US cyber security company Mandiant, which accused a Shanghai-based military unit of standing behind a series of hacking activities targeting more than US 140 companies.

"This report is unprofessional and is not in line with the facts," said Geng, adding that Chinese laws forbid any behavior disrupting cyber security and the Chinese government has been resolutely cracking down on such crimes.

"The Chinese military has never backed any hacking activities," Geng claimed.

Regarding the cyber security disputes, the US government has worked out a "pre-emptive" policy against attacks by expanding its cyber war force and setting rules on cyber war, US media reported.

Geng said these measures "will not be constructive in promoting cyber security among the international community.

"We hope that the US side can give an explanation and clarification on this," Geng remarked.

Agencies - Global Times



 



Posted in: Military, IT

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