Is Chinas involvement in computer hacking, and why?
The Chinese government denies official involvement–meaning individual Chinese private citizens might do it, but the Chinese government does not do it as a matter of policy. However, there is strong evidence that Cyber hacking of foreign computer and information systems is in fact an activity organized by the Chinese government. There are three general goals: (1) national defense-related espionage, such as getting information about Chinese dissidents, finding out how important US weapons work, and learning which US officials may have knowledge the Chinese government is interested in; (2) economic espionage, which is stealing secret technology or know-how that could help Chinese industries be more competitive; and (3) discovering openings in the key civilian or military infrastructure of a potential adversary such as the USA that China could exploit if a conflict breaks out.
