Barack Obama, Xi Jinping soft-pedal on cyberspace security issue
Leaders skirt difficult questions raised by online attacks on US as tensions remain clear
Barack Obama and Xi Jinping trod carefully at their news conference, avoiding a direct public confrontation on cybersecurity.
Obama described the contentious cyberissue as "uncharted waters". He said he and Xi had discussed cybermatters only broadly during their first round of talks, but pledged that a fuller discussion was still to come.
The US president said it was critical that America and China reach a "firm understanding" on cyberissues, but he stopped short of accusing China of orchestrating the hacking of computers belonging to the American government and to US businesses.
"Because of the incredible advances in technology, the issue of cybersecurity and need for rules and common approach for cybersecurity are going to be increasingly important," Obama said.
Xi, who took power in March, claimed no responsibility for China's alleged actions. He said China was also a victim of cyberspying, but did not assign any blame for the actions.
Cybersecurity has taken on increasing importance to the Obama administration in its recent talks with Beijing. Obama said advances in technology had created a need for clear protocols about what is and is not acceptable for governments to do.
"They're going to have similar concerns," Obama said of the Chinese.
