Advertisement

China`s Xi proposes cyber security talks to Obama

Facing serious allegations from US and a host of countries for cyber attacks, the new Chinese leadership has proposed talks with the Obama administration on the issue.

Beijing: Facing serious allegations from US and a host of countries for cyber attacks, the new Chinese leadership has proposed talks with the Obama administration on the issue. "China resolutely opposes hacking of any form and would like to communicate with the United States on cyberspace security in a constructive way," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.
Hua`s comments came after newly elected Chinese President Xi Jinping held telephone talks with US President Barack Obama yesterday, with cyber security figuring high. Recent reports alleged China`s People`s Liberation Army, (PLA) detachment in Shanghai was directly involved in mass cyber attacks, a charge denied by Beijing. According to Hua, Xi outlined China`s principle and stance on the matter, saying the issue of cyber security is increasingly prominent and a security challenge confronting all countries. It is in the fundamental interests of China, the US and the international community to safeguard peace, security, openness and cooperation of the cyberspace, Hua said. Xi and Obama also exchanged views on the situation of the Korean Peninsula, state run Xinhua news agency reported. Obama congratulated Xi on his election as President and said the US and China have conducted broad and in-depth cooperation over the past four years. Currently, US-China relations are faced with a historic opportunity to chart a course for future development, he said. Obama said the US side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China through mechanisms such as the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue to accommodate each other`s concerns and to promote economic and trade relations. The US side is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to ensure security, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, he said. Xi said China and the United States have enormous common interests, but also differences. China firmly maintains and promotes the development of China-US relations, and would like to work with the United States in enhancing mutual trust, expanding cooperation, handling differences, and maintaining high-level contacts, Xi said. On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Xi said the two sides should adhere to equal dialogue and candid communication, and should prevent politicising economic and trade issues so as to further consolidate the basis of China-US economic and trade ties. PTI