US directly blames China military for cyberattacks

While some recent estimates have more than 90 per cent of cyberespionage in the US originating in China,the accusations relayed in the Pentagons annual report to Congress on Chinese military capabilities were remarkable in their directness. Until now,the administration avoided directly accusing both the Chinese government and Peoples Liberation Army of using cyberweapons against the US in a deliberate,government-developed strategy to steal intellectual property and gain strategic advantage.

In 2012,numerous computer systems around the world,including those owned by the US government,continued to be targeted for intrusions,some of which appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military, the report said.

The report,released Monday,described Chinas primary goal as stealing industrial technology,but said many intrusions also seemed aimed at obtaining insights into American policy makers thinking.

It was unclear why the administration chose the Pentagon report to make assertions that it has long declined to make at the White House. A White House official declined to say at what level the report was cleared. A senior defence official said this was a thoroughly co-ordinated report,but did not elaborate.

On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Hua Chunying,criticized the report.

China has repeatedly said we resolutely oppose all forms of hacker attacks, she said. Were willing to carry out an even-tempered and constructive dialogue with the US on the issue of Internet security. But we are firmly opposed to any groundless accusations and speculations,since they will only damage the co-operation efforts8230;