Following The New York Times report that the U.S. may take action to retaliate against China for hacking the information of 20 million U.S. government employees, China Daily interviewed Chinese scholars on cyber security to discuss what it means to China.
Shen Yi, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Governance Research Institute at Fudan University, thought that this incident was different from the previous Sino-U.S. "cyber disputes." It seems to be "very serious." He said that for the U.S. to upgrade the “accusation" to “threatening” may suggest that a Sino-U.S. cyberwar could be imminent.
Shen said, "The United States always wants to replicate the dialogue experience gained in arms sanctions, nuclear disarmament, and other issues with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, as well as with Russia after the Cold War. In doing so, it hopes to use pressure to force China to enter into negotiations passively and to accept the outcome of negotiations when the U.S. is completely in control of the topics." Shen suggested that China should take action and not let the rhythm of the United States be the controlling factor.
Although the Sino-U.S cyber security incidents have arrived at the “critical point” of an "imminent war," Shen Yi believed that, on the other hand, this is a good thing for the Chinese side. It forces China to move forward faster, better, and more effectively with the national strategy of cyber security.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of the China Information Security Institute, also said that the escalation of cyber security incidents between the two countries is a serious and dangerous signal to China. The escalation suggests that China should strengthen the development of infrastructure in tracking, tracing, and reacting to foreign attacks. It is also very urgent.
Source: China Daily, August 3, 2015
http://china.chinadaily.com.cn/2015-08/03/content_21488123.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-08/03/c_128088613.htm