Forget the Great Firewall ... China is beefing up its ability to police all cyberspace
Policy document also pledges to prevent an arms race in the cyber realm amid US claims that Chinese hackers have attacked American government targets
China plans to bolster its defences in cyberspace while keeping a close eye on the US government’s review of its own strengths, a senior foreign ministry official said on Thursday.
Cybersecurity has been a flashpoint for Sino-US ties, with the US accusing the Chinese government and military of cyberattacks against US targets. Beijing denies the claims and says it is a victim of hacking.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has not commented on the cybersecurity feud with China, but last month he scrapped plans to sign an executive order for a US cybersecurity overhaul.
China, meanwhile, released a blueprint on Wednesday to increase international cooperation in cyberspace and to strengthen its own cybersecurity systems. “Enhanced defence capability in cyberspace is an important part of China’s endeavour to modernise its national defences and armed forces,” the document said.
China would also “prevent cyberspace from becoming a new battlefield” and “prevent an arms race in cyberspace”, according to the blueprint released by the foreign ministry and the national internet regulator.