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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pentagon accuses China of trying to hack US defence networks | Pentagon accuses China of trying to hack US defence networks |
| (12 days later) | |
| China is using espionage to acquire technology to fuel its military modernisation, the Pentagon has said, for the first time accusing the Chinese of trying to break into US defence computer networks and prompting a firm denial from Beijing. | China is using espionage to acquire technology to fuel its military modernisation, the Pentagon has said, for the first time accusing the Chinese of trying to break into US defence computer networks and prompting a firm denial from Beijing. |
| In its 83-page annual report to Congress on Chinese military developments, the Pentagon also cites progress in Beijing's efforts to develop advanced-technology stealth aircraft and build an aircraft carrier fleet to project its power further offshore. | In its 83-page annual report to Congress on Chinese military developments, the Pentagon also cites progress in Beijing's efforts to develop advanced-technology stealth aircraft and build an aircraft carrier fleet to project its power further offshore. |
| The report says China's cybersnooping is a serious concern that points to an even greater threat because the "skills required for these intrusions are similar to those necessary to conduct computer network attacks". | The report says China's cybersnooping is a serious concern that points to an even greater threat because the "skills required for these intrusions are similar to those necessary to conduct computer network attacks". |
| "The US government continued to be targeted for (cyber) intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military," it says, adding that the main purpose of the hacking is to gain information to benefit defence industries, military planners and government leaders. | "The US government continued to be targeted for (cyber) intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military," it says, adding that the main purpose of the hacking is to gain information to benefit defence industries, military planners and government leaders. |
| A spokeswoman said it was the first time the annual Pentagon report had cited Beijing for targeting US defence networks, but China dismissed the report as groundless. | A spokeswoman said it was the first time the annual Pentagon report had cited Beijing for targeting US defence networks, but China dismissed the report as groundless. |
| The US defence department had repeatedly "made irresponsible comments about China's normal and justified defence buildup and hyped up the so-called China military threat," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. | The US defence department had repeatedly "made irresponsible comments about China's normal and justified defence buildup and hyped up the so-called China military threat," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. |
| "This is not beneficial to US-China mutual trust and co-operation," Hua told reporters. "We are firmly opposed to this and have already made representations to the US side." | "This is not beneficial to US-China mutual trust and co-operation," Hua told reporters. "We are firmly opposed to this and have already made representations to the US side." |
| China's defence buildup was geared towards protecting its "national independence and sovereignty", she said. | China's defence buildup was geared towards protecting its "national independence and sovereignty", she said. |
| On the accusations of hacking, Hua said: "We firmly oppose any groundless criticism and hype, because groundless hype and criticism will only harm bilateral efforts at co-operation and dialogue." | On the accusations of hacking, Hua said: "We firmly oppose any groundless criticism and hype, because groundless hype and criticism will only harm bilateral efforts at co-operation and dialogue." |
| Despite concerns over the intrusions, a senior US defence official said his main worry was the lack of transparency. | Despite concerns over the intrusions, a senior US defence official said his main worry was the lack of transparency. |
| "What concerns me is the extent to which China's military modernisation occurs in the absence of the type of openness and transparency that others are certainly asking of China," David Helvey, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for east Asia, told a Pentagon briefing on the report. | "What concerns me is the extent to which China's military modernisation occurs in the absence of the type of openness and transparency that others are certainly asking of China," David Helvey, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for east Asia, told a Pentagon briefing on the report. |
| He warned of the "potential implications and consequences of that lack of transparency on the security calculations of others in the region". | He warned of the "potential implications and consequences of that lack of transparency on the security calculations of others in the region". |
| The annual China report, which Congress began requesting in 2000, comes amid ongoing tensions in the region due to China's military assertiveness and expansive claims of sovereignty over disputed islands and shoals. Beijing has territorial disputes with the Philippines, Japan and other neighbours. | The annual China report, which Congress began requesting in 2000, comes amid ongoing tensions in the region due to China's military assertiveness and expansive claims of sovereignty over disputed islands and shoals. Beijing has territorial disputes with the Philippines, Japan and other neighbours. |
| Beijing's publicly announced defence spending has grown at an inflation-adjusted rate of nearly 10% annually over the past decade, but Helvey said China's actual outlays were thought to be higher. | Beijing's publicly announced defence spending has grown at an inflation-adjusted rate of nearly 10% annually over the past decade, but Helvey said China's actual outlays were thought to be higher. |
| China announced a 10.7% increase in military spending to $114bn (£73bn) in March, the Pentagon report says. Publicly announced defence spending for 2012 was $106bn, but actual spending for 2012 could range between $135bn and $215bn, it says. US defence spending is more than double that, at more than $500bn. | China announced a 10.7% increase in military spending to $114bn (£73bn) in March, the Pentagon report says. Publicly announced defence spending for 2012 was $106bn, but actual spending for 2012 could range between $135bn and $215bn, it says. US defence spending is more than double that, at more than $500bn. |
| The report highlights China's continuing efforts to gain access to sophisticated military technology to fuel its modernisation programme. It cited a list of methods, including "state-sponsored industrial and technical espionage to increase the level of technologies and expertise available to support military research, development and acquisition". | The report highlights China's continuing efforts to gain access to sophisticated military technology to fuel its modernisation programme. It cited a list of methods, including "state-sponsored industrial and technical espionage to increase the level of technologies and expertise available to support military research, development and acquisition". |
| Dean Cheng, an analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation thinktank, said he was surprised by the number of cases of human espionage cited in the report. | Dean Cheng, an analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation thinktank, said he was surprised by the number of cases of human espionage cited in the report. |
| "This is a PLA (People's Liberation Army) that is extensively, comprehensively modernising … China is also comprehensively engaging in espionage," he said. | "This is a PLA (People's Liberation Army) that is extensively, comprehensively modernising … China is also comprehensively engaging in espionage," he said. |
| China tested its second advanced stealth fighter in as many years in October 2012, highlighting its "continued ambition to produce advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft", the report says. Neither of its stealth aircraft was expected to achieve effective operational capability before 2018, it adds. | China tested its second advanced stealth fighter in as many years in October 2012, highlighting its "continued ambition to produce advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft", the report says. Neither of its stealth aircraft was expected to achieve effective operational capability before 2018, it adds. |
| Last year, China commissioned its first domestically produced aircraft carrier. China currently has one refitted ex-Soviet aircraft carrier, and conducted its first takeoff and landing from the ship in November. | Last year, China commissioned its first domestically produced aircraft carrier. China currently has one refitted ex-Soviet aircraft carrier, and conducted its first takeoff and landing from the ship in November. |
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