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Clinton's language on China appeared to be far stronger than that usually used by President Barack Obama's Democratic administration. Photo: AP

Hillary Clinton: China 'trying to hack into everything that doesn't move in America'

Clinton accuses Beijing of stealing 'huge amounts of government information'

AFP

US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has accused China of stealing "huge amounts of government information" and of trying to "hack into everything that doesn't move in America".

Clinton's language on China appeared to be far stronger than that usually used by President Barack Obama's Democratic administration.

At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Clinton said she wanted to see China's peaceful rise.

"But we also have to be fully vigilant, China's military is growing very quickly, they're establishing military installations that again threaten countries we have treaties with, like the Philippines, because they are building on contested property," said Clinton, who was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

"They're also trying to hack into everything that doesn't move in America. Stealing commercial secrets ... from defence contractors, stealing huge amounts of government information, all looking for an advantage," she said.

"Make no mistake, they know they're in competition - and they're going to do everything they can to win."

Clinton is the front runner to win the Democratic nomination for the November 2016 presidential election.

A White House official declined to comment.

In the most recent case involving suspicions of Chinese hacking, a US government agency was breached, compromising the personnel records of at least 4.2 million current and former government workers.

James Clapper, the US director of national intelligence, said last month that China was the "leading suspect" in the massive hack.

Beijing dismissed the charge as "absurd logic".

Cybersecurity specialists say the breach appeared to be part of a Chinese effort to build a database for espionage.

Clinton also addressed the talks over Iran's nuclear programme and had strong words for Tehran.

She said even if a deal was reached with Iran, Tehran's "aggressiveness will not end" and it would remain a principal state sponsor of terrorism.

The United States, other world powers and Iran have set tomorrow as a deadline to reach a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: China 'trying to hack everything that doesn't move'
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