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US defense chief
warns China on cyberespionage
FIGHTING WORDS: US Secretary of Defense Chuck
Hagel pointedly blamed the Chinese government and armed forces, saying Beijing
must adhere to ¡¥international norms¡¦
AFP, SINGAPORE
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel yesterday accused China of waging
cyberespionage against the US, raising pressure on Beijing over the issue ahead
of a key summit between their leaders.
The Pentagon chief, speaking at a Singapore security forum attended by senior
Chinese military officials, pointedly blamed the Chinese government and armed
forces for repeated intrusions into sensitive US information systems.
¡§The United States has expressed our concerns about the growing threat of
cyberintrusions, some of which appear to be tied to the Chinese government and
military,¡¨ Hagel told an annual conference known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Hagel pressed Beijing to adhere to ¡§international norms of responsible behavior
in cyberspace,¡¨ while acknowledging that the establishment of a joint
cybersecurity working group was a positive step in fostering dialogue.
The Singapore conference took place ahead of a meeting US President Barack Obama
and Chinese President Xi Jinping (²ßªñ¥) in California, the first meeting between
the two leaders since Xi took office in March.
Hagel¡¦s remarks came just days after the Chinese Ministry of Defense dismissed a
Pentagon report accusing Chinese hackers of accessing US weapons designs.
¡§First they underestimate the security defense capabilities of the Pentagon and
second they underestimate the intelligence of the Chinese people,¡¨ it said.
The report was the most explicit statement yet from Washington that it believes
China¡¦s cyberspying is focused on the US government and corporations.
In his speech, Hagel insisted that Washington¡¦s military ¡§rebalance¡¨ toward
Asia-Pacific ¡X a policy announced at the forum last year by his predecessor Leon
Panetta ¡X will not be affected by cuts in US military spending.
He said the US Air Force had allocated 60 percent of its overseas-based forces
to the region including tactical aircraft and bombers. Hagel added that 2,500 US
Marines would eventually be deployed to Australia each year as part of the
effort.
Last year, Washington announced a major naval deployment to Asia, including the
rotation of up to four littoral combat ships ¡X newly developed vessels designed
for coastal operations ¡X to Singapore, a staunch US supporter.
Hagel said Washington remained concerned ¡§over the potential for dangerous
miscalculations or crises¡¨ arising from competing territorial claims in Asia.
Other defense officials warned the forum against an arms race in Asia, where
governments, boosted by stronger economic growth and worried by regional
tensions, are modernizing their armed forces.
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