Editor’s Note: In May 2011, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled “Pentagon: Cyber Attacks Can Count as Acts of War.” The article began, “The Pentagon has concluded that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act of war, a finding that for the first time opens the door for the U.S. to respond using traditional military force.”
A top Chinese general, who has repeatedly denied the Chinese military is behind multiple cyber-attacks against the United States, has admitted during a public event that cyber-attacks are as serious as nuclear weapons.
General Fang Fenghui made his comments after meeting with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Cybersecurity was one of the major issues discussed during the meeting as the Obama administration is looking at options including trade sanctions and indicting Chinese nationals in U.S. courts to combat the recent spate of cyber-attacks.
Gen. Fang denied allegations and said they face the same problem as the U.S.
“The Internet is open to anyone, and anyone can launch attacks from the place where they live, from their own country or from another country,” Fang said.
This was the first time the two chiefs of staff met face to face.
