China on Friday again dodged direct questions on the situation of US whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Instead, it said, in a statement clearly aimed at the US, that unlike some countries fighting a cyber-war, it was for forming rules and regulations to maintain cyber security.
“What cyberspace needs is not war or hegemony, not irresponsible attacks or accusations but regulation and cooperation,” Hua Chunying, foreign ministry spokesperson said at the daily briefing.
Hua was answering questions on Snowden, hiding in Hong Kong after leaking details about US cyber surveillance systems.
“China has repeatedly said it is one of the major victims of cyber-attacks. What has happened recently has shown China is indeed one of the major victims of cyber-attacks,” Hua said, adding that the international community should come up with regulations on cyber security.
She said the Chinese foreign ministry had set up an office to carry out cyber security-related diplomatic activities.
“We are looking to conduct dialogue with the international community including with the US. We will carry out cooperation with the U.S. through the cyber security working group within the framework of the strategic security dialogue,” she said.
The spokesperson said that China maintains that relevant international regulations should be made within the framework of the UN and that Beijing had made specific proposals.
{{/usCountry}}The spokesperson said that China maintains that relevant international regulations should be made within the framework of the UN and that Beijing had made specific proposals.
{{/usCountry}}The state-owned Global Times newspaper said in an editorial on Friday that the Chinese public would be unhappy if the government send back Snowden as he was in a position to offer intelligence on cyberspace.