Agence France-Presse, China is worse hit by computer hackers than any Western nation, a Chinese military expert was quoted as saying Sept. 22 in an apparent response to claims it was the source of attacks on U.S. systems.
Unlike other countries, however, China does not point the finger of blame, Wang Xinjun, a researcher at the Academy of Military Sciences, said in remarks carried by the Xinhua news agency.
“Hacker attacks on China’s computer system have surged in recent years and China is facing (a) more severe situation of information security than any western country,” Wang told Xinhua.
“But the Chinese government never blames it on any other country and insists on calling for international cooperation to crack down on Internet-wrecking crime.”
Recently, reports suggested that hackers from the People’s Liberation Army of China had caused a shutdown of a computer system serving the office of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Similar hacker attacks linked to China have been reported by other countries including Germany.
“It’s very strange and surprising that (even though) only one or two Web site attacks are from China among the thousands of hackers’ Web sites, some officials and media arbitrarily blame these attacks on China,” Wang said.
He told Xinhua the most effective way to fight threats to information security was to strengthen international cooperation.
“Countries concerned should abandon doubts and prejudice towards other countries, and especially the Cold War mentality, and establish mutual trust and reach consensus on cooperation,” he said.
