US accuses China of facilitating cyber theft

United States of America has accused China of enabling cyber theft and hacking of multiple the US and global managed service and cloud providers.

In a joint statement issued by Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen on Thursday (local time), the US has stated that since 2014, Chinese cyber actors have been compromising global managed service providers.

"These Chinese actors used this access to compromise the networks of the providers' clients, including global companies located in at least 12 countries," the statement read.

They further raised concerns about the violation of the 2015 US-China cyber commitments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping to refrain from conducting or knowingly supporting "cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information, with the intent of providing competitive advantages to companies or commercial sectors."

"China has also made this commitment with G20 and APEC members as well as in other bilateral statements," the statement asserted.

The statement further reiterated that the stability in cyberspace cannot be achieved if countries engage in irresponsible behaviour that undermines the national security and economic prosperity of other countries.

"These actions by Chinese actors to target intellectual property and sensitive business information present a very real threat to the economic competitiveness of companies in the United States and around the globe," the statement read.

The US also warned the hackers will be held accountable for the malicious behaviour and stated that Washington has taken actions to demonstrate the resolve.

"We strongly urge China to abide by its commitment to act responsibly in cyberspace and reiterate that the United States will take appropriate measures to defend our interests," read the statement.