By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, September 24: The Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday denied any form of government backed cyber attacks and thefts that the US government has accused his country in the recent past, media reports said.
Addressing a range of topics from cyberattacks, business interests, his fight against corruption and also a carefully worded line for the human rights situation in China, Xi said, “The Chinese government will not in whatever form engage in commercial theft, and hacking against government networks are crimes that must be punished in accordance with the law and relevant international treaties.”
He vowed to partner with the American counterparts to combat cybercrimes. He said, “China is ready to set up a high-level joint dialogue mechanism with the United States on fighting cybercrimes.”
Making a refrained remark on the US government’s statement of deteriorating human rights situation in China, particularly the recent crackdown on Chinese lawyers, he said, “we are ready to discuss rule-of-law issues with the U.S. side in a spirit of mutual learning for common progress.”
While speaking on his fight against corruption he mentioned that he is determined to persecute all section of the community saying that he has dealt with “tigers and flies” although pointing it is not as glamorous as portrayed in the hit American TV show ‘House of Cards’. Yet critics and observers say this drive particularly the targeting of Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin supporters is to consolidate power and very much a part of a larger political game typical of the power struggle in the politburo.
Xi assured stability and help to investors and businesses following the recent market collapse, “We will address the legitimate concerns of foreign investors in a timely fashion, protect their lawful rights and interests, and work hard to provide an open and transparent legal and policy environment”.
However, the US-China Business Council President John Frisbie told reporters that the confidence has waned over the years with only 24 percent of investors feeling optimistic as opposed to 58 percent in 2010.
