Sina Weibo users unleash scathing criticism of US hacking 'hypocrisy'

Revelations by Edward Snowden that Washington has been hacking mainland China and Hong Kong for years triggered scathing criticism from Sina Weibo users, many of whom have previously held the US government as a role model for protecting human rights and freedom of speech.

On Weibo, Snowden's exclusive interview with the Post was promptly translated into Chinese by Sina News, reposted by influential opinion leaders and commented on thousands of times.

"Isn't this a slap in the face for Obama?" a microblogger wrote. "What a hypocrite US turns out to be despite its endless talks of freedom and democracy."

"This is exactly a case of a thief yelling thief," commented another blogger, referring to recent allegations the US made about cyberattacks from China.

Many bloggers also speculated on China's next move.

"Too bad China already knows every cyber-secret of its people," activist Chen Yunfei wrote teasingly on Twitter, "otherwise Snowden would have made a good fortune." Despite criticism directed at the US government, more people say Snowden is the true embodiment of the American spirit.