U.S. and China Put Focus on Cybersecurity

Due to a sudden source of tension between the United States and China, these two countries held their highest-level military talks in almost two years.  Chinese General Fang Fenghui and US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E Dempsey met Monday vowing to work with each other on cybersecurity.  Both countries feel that the consequences of a major cyberattack “may be as serious as a nuclear bomb." There is growing evidence that China’s military has been involved in cyberattacks on American governmental agencies as well as American corporations.  Just last month, President Obama and his administration demanded that China stop this data theft and help the United States create global standards for cybersecurity. General Dempsey arrived for his three-day visit on Sunday.  He was invited for these talks following a lengthy transition process to a new Chinese government was completed in March.  General Dempsey’s visit closely followed Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit and the Obama administration hopes these talks will be the beginning of a better relationship between the US and China. General Fang talked of wanting a “new kind of military relationship that is consistent with the state-to-state relationship,” but also suggested that the United States military would not be able to dominate forever.  General Dempsey’s response was that the US is looking for a better relationship with the Chinese military, but that they have to respect other “historic and enduring alliances.” The United States has also urged China to use its influence as North Korea’s main ally to halt their threats of nuclear attacks on American targets.  General Fang stressed that China was opposed to North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons.  He also stressed the need to reopen the “six party talks” that dissolved several years ago, which were aimed at persuading North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/asia/united-states-and-china-hold-military-talks-with-cybersecurity-a-focus.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130423&_r=0