BEIJING – Beijing has no idea why the US feels “so insecure,” a Chinesespokesman said Wednesday, responding to an American government reportsingling out China as among the countries posing the greatest cyber threats.
The US remains the world’s top major power, with “unparalleled” militarystrength, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at aregularly scheduled news briefing.
“I have no idea why the US still feel so insecure,” Geng said.
“We hope the US will discard the zero-sum mindset, stop viewing big powerrelationship from the perspective of confrontation, follow the trend oftimes of peaceful development and work with Russia and China to jointlyensure the world peace and stability,” Geng said.
The US report also listed Russia, Iran and North Korea as posing majorcyber threats. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said Tuesday thatthe US must craft responses to minimize attacks.
US officials have accused China — including its military — of operating asweeping hacking operation targeting the Pentagon, defense contractors andother targets. In addition to stealing secrets and intellectual property,the operations could also be used to attack the US financial system, powergrid and other critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict.
“Cyber has been a game-changer in many, many ways,” Coats said. “The UnitedStates is under attack — now.”
China is seen as America’s long time rival for diplomatic influence andmilitary dominance in Asia. While Beijing is moving swiftly to strengthenits military and expand its presence in the South China Sea, Indian Oceanand elsewhere, American strength is shored up by robust alliances withcountries such as Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Coats and other top intelligence officials appeared at a Senateintelligence committee hearing Tuesday to discuss their annual assessmentof global threats facing the United States.
Along with the threat of cyberattacks, North Korea’s pursuit ofnuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States, Russian andChinese aggression, and the standoff between Iranian and SaudiArabia-backed proxies were all detailed in the 28-page paper. – Agencies