Biden urges end to ‘outright’ hacking theft by China

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WASHINGTON: US Vice President Joe Biden urged China on Wednesday to end its ‘outright’ theft through hacking as the world’s two largest economies waded into some of their thorniest disputes.

Biden opened two days of annual talks with China in which the Pacific powers pledged to build trust but are addressing a gamut of issues including mutual complaints over market access.

While many experts expect the session to be a talking shop without major decisions, Biden did not shy away from divisive rows, including charges of cyber-espionage.

“We both will benefit from an open, secure, reliable Internet. Outright cyber-enabling theft that US companies are experiencing now must be viewed as out of bounds and needs to stop,” Biden said.

A recent US study said that corporate America was losing hundreds of billions of dollars a year through a vast, organised hacking campaign to steal US trade, government and military secrets.

China insists it is also the victim of hacking, and has demanded an explanation over assertions by US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that US spies had broken into the billion-plus nation’s Internet routing network.

China’s ambassador Cui Tiankai, in remarks quoted by state media, called for the two countries to consider cyber security rules established by an international body such as the United Nations.

Biden also raised concerns about human rights, days after Chinese troops reportedly opened fire on Tibetans celebrating the birthday of their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

“I believe that China – presumptuous of me – … will be stronger and more stable and more innovative if it represents and respects the international human rights norms. But there are differences we have,” Biden said.

Secretary of State John Kerry, who left early to spend time with his ill wife, was ‘very forceful’ about human rights in a closed session and raised specific cases, a US official said. — AFP