Spying on the United States is a service to China, state-run media said, singing the praises of a man who confessed to hacking American defence contractors on Beijing’s behalf.
Chinese national Su Bin, 50, pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets from the companies, including plans for transport planes and fighter jets.
Chinese national Su Bin admits hacking US defence firms to steal plans for fighter jets
In a plea agreement filed on Wednesday, he admitted to conspiring with two unnamed persons in China to try to acquire plans for F-22 and F-35 fighter jets and C-17 transport aircraft.
Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer, was among the companies hacked.
If he had done so, “we are willing to show our gratitude and respect for his service to our country”, said an editorial in the Global Times, a nationalistic newspaper with close ties to the ruling Communist Party.
“On the secret battlefield without gunpowder, China needs special agents to gather secrets from the US,” it added.