US Refuses To ‘Stand Idle’ In Charging China Over Government-Backed Cyberattacks

The United States has refused to “stand idle” in charging China over alleged cyberspying and hacking incidents, a senior U.S. official reportedly said Tuesday in Beijing. The comments came after the United States Postal Service confirmed that it was targeted by a massive cyberattack, which is suspected to have been perpetrated by hackers with links to the Chinese government.

Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, reportedly said that issues involving cyberattacks, spying and maritime disputes will be discussed between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, when the two leaders meet for dinner on Tuesday evening and for formal talks on Wednesday. Obama is in Beijing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit at the start of his Asia-Pacific tour.

"We welcome the desire in China that is clearly on display here at the summit, to play a role in the international community that is commensurate with its economic and political standing, and its standing as the world's most populous nation," Rhodes told reporters, according to Reuters. "At the same time, we're going to be very clear when we believe that China's actions are actually pushing outside the boundaries of what we believe to be the necessary international norms that govern relations between nations and the ways in which we resolve disputes."

Last month, the FBI had warned American companies that hackers targeting U.S. businesses might be backed by the Chinese government. Over the past several months, both countries have traded allegations over cyberspying. In May, the U.S. took the unprecedented step of charging five Chinese military officers with hacking into the systems of American companies.

China has denied the cyberattack claims, saying that there is no basis for the allegations.