The same China that has been sending us tainted human and pet food, that's been busted for exporting lead-contaminated children's toys, that has spent the last decade-plus consolidating control of commercial shipping choke points and that has been caught attempting to influence our presidential politics is at it again:
The Financial Times reports that the Chinese military hacked into a Pentagon computer network in June. It calls it "the most successful cyber attack on the U.S. Defense Department." The Pentagon was forced to shut down part of a computer system serving the office of Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Times, citing current and former Pentagon officials, says an internal investigation "has revealed that the incursion came from the People's Liberation Army." Germany also has been a frequent target.
What exactly the Chinese obtained remains unclear. But Pentagon officials told the newspaper the June hacking "raised concerns to a new level because of fears that China had shown it could disrupt systems at critical times."
Perhaps in advance of an attack on U.S. interests or even the United States?
The Chinese, of course, deny the claim. But President Bush is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday in Australia prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
A frank "Knock it off!" would be a good greeting, followed by stern warnings of sanctions if the nonsense doesn't stop.
