WikiLeaks release deals blow to US

• Source: Global Times
• [08:14 November 30 2010]
• Comments

Yu Wanli, an expert on international studies at Peking University, denied that the latest release could damage the core national interests of the US or its relations with allies.

"But the leakage of the documents, most of which are about US intelligence information, could be the "9/11 of US intelligence," and parties concerned could get to know the focus of the intelligence and its underlying strategic intent," he said.

Li Wei, director of the Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary In-ternational Relations, told the Global Times that this shows that the US government is not as transparent and fair as it has always claimed to be, in terms of diplomacy.

The leakage also sounds an alarm to the US and other nations in terms of loopholes in guarding their national security, he added.

Shi Yinhong, a professor with the School of International Studies at Renmin University, told the Global Times Monday that "Websites such as WikiLeaks make the speed at which secrets can be spread faster than ever before, which threatens US diplomacy."

Shi noted that the leaks of information from WikiLeaks also revealed that some government officials are abusing their power of guarding national security by harming the people's right to know.

"This conflict between the US government and WikiLeaks also reminds us of the importance of improving the secret-keeping system. It is vital to clarify the boundary of secrets and make sure that those related to national security are tightly protected, " he added.

Liu Linlin and agencies contributed to this story