Hacker claims reflect US intention of cyber hegemony

The absurd allegation that a Chinese military unit is behind cyber attacks against the US government and firms continues to ferment. The US has staged a performance so beautifully planned that the Chinese are finding it hard to grasp Washington's real purpose.

Most of the root servers of the global network are based in the US. That said, the global network is under the management and regulation of the US. The country has the largest number of top hackers, and the very best of them work in the Pentagon. Has the network in the US suddenly become unsafe to such an extent that it can do nothing about China's "cyber attacks?"

The one country that has the safest network and can act as it pleases is the US. The US has publicly harmed other countries' interests through the Internet because it is the one that makes the rules. Hackers first appeared in the US and have helped the government a great deal, which is why the US is so suspicious about them.

We don't believe that the Chinese military is unprepared for a cyber war. But it won't act radically in this field. Therefore, the insane US accusations regarding China's military hackers are part of its efforts at network hegemony.

We also strongly suspect that the US' exaggerations of the threat posed by Chinese hackers are aimed at creating an environment to accelerate its capability to carry out a cyber war. It may be building up excuses for future public cyber attacks. At the same time, it could use this pretext to add diplomatic pressure on China at little extra cost.

China has been too tolerant in previous Internet disputes with the US. Since China's tolerance was not appreciated by the US, China should confront the US directly. China should gather, testify, and publish evidence of the US' Internet intrusions. So far, the US has sanctioned many Chinese firms and individuals based on its own evidence, while China seldom does the same. Such an unfair state of affairs should end.

China should also keep a watchful eye on the intention of the US to set up cyber armies. If the US really intends to raise its cyber war capabilities by speculating about China's hacking threat, China should take firm actions. China is in a disadvantageous position in terms of Internet capability. We should have a clear evaluation of our passiveness.

China is not afraid of the hubbub of US public opinions. Nor is it afraid of the US government taking actions against it. If the Sino-US relationship is to be affected simply by a computer security company and stories of "China's hackers," it proves that the bilateral relationship is not mature. Let it experience more tests. China has no obligation to foster ties when some Americans spit on it.