2-3 US and China engage in cyber war games

• How much information do you store or share on the Internet?
• Do you bank or shop online? If not, why not? Are you concerned about security?
• Do you think governments and large companies rely on the Internet?
• Could wars in the future be fought on the Internet?

Why does the headline refer to war ‘games’? Is the war real?

US and China engage in cyber war games

Nick Hopkins. 16 April, 2012

(1) The US and China have been quietly involved in “war games”, as the Americans are becoming more and more angry about the number of Chinese cyber attacks on western governments and big business.

(2) US officials and their Chinese counterparts took part in two war games in 2011 that were designed to help prevent the risk of sudden military conflict between the two sides. Another war game is planned for May. The exercises have given the US a chance to express its anger at what appears to be large-scale espionage and theft but China has been belligerent.

(3) “China has come to the conclusion that the power relationship has changed, and it has changed in a way that is positive for them,” said Jim Lewis, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank in Washington. “The PLA [People’s Liberation Army] is very hostile. They see the US as a target. They feel they have justification for their actions. They think the US is in decline.”

(4) The war games have been organized through the CSIS and a Chinese think tank, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. This has allowed government officials, and those from the US intelligence agencies, to have contact in a less formal environment.

(5) “We coordinate the war games with the state department and department of defence,” said Lewis, who organized the meetings. “Because it is organized between two think tanks, they can speak more freely.”

(6) During the first exercise, both sides had to describe what they would do if they were attacked by a sophisticated computer virus, such as Stuxnet, which disabled Iran’s nuclear programme. In the second, they had to describe their reaction if they knew the attack had come from the other side.

(7) “The Chinese don’t trust the US,” Lewis added. “They are worried about US military capabilities. They think we want to keep US power and they see a direct challenge. The [Chinese officials] who want cooperation are not as strong as the people who want conflict.”

(8) The need for the meetings has been emphasized in recent months as the US and the UK have tried to increase pressure on China. They believe China is mainly responsible for the theft of billions of dollars of plans and intellectual property from defence manufacturers, government departments and private companies. Both the UK and the US have warned China to expect a response if this continues.

(9) “There are other countries involved in cyber espionage, but China is the only one likely to be a military competitor to the US,” Lewis said. “US and Chinese forces are in close proximity and there are hostile incidents … The chances of miscalculation are high, so we are trying to get a clear understanding of each side’s position.”

(10) The state department refused to speak about the war games. A spokesman said: “The United States wants all states to practise acceptable behaviour in cyberspace. We are discussing cyber issues with the Chinese government.”

(11) China has always denied responsibility for cyber attacks on the US and other western countries. It says it is also the victim of this kind of espionage. The Chinese Defence Minister has said China is “against all kinds of cybercrimes”. He said, “It is hard to find the real source of attacks and we need to work together to make sure that this security problem won’t be a problem.”

(12)  “In China we have also had cyber attacks. The Chinese government believes cyber security is important and is against all kinds of cybercrimes. It is important for everyone to follow laws and regulations in terms of cyber security.”

(13)  The People’s Daily is the Chinese newspaper that most reflects the views of China’s ruling Communist party. The newspaper said in 2011 that connecting China to internet hacking attacks was irresponsible. It said that western media were trying to blame China for cyber attacks on international businesses and organizations.

Guardian News and Media 2012. First published in The Guardian, 16/04/12