War games: China and U.S. engage in cyber wars meant to de-escalate tensions
“The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed in war.” Perhaps this is the mentality of Chinese and U.S. officials who have agreed to engage each other in cyber war games, according to a report in the Telegraph recently. Already, two games between the countries have taken place, and another is scheduled for May.
Tensions have been escalating over ever-increasing Beijing-controlled cyber attacks, a story in the Guardian suggests. Quoted in the piece is Jim Lewis, a senior fellow and director at a Washington think tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “China has come to the conclusion that the power relationship has changed, and it has changed in a way that favors them.” Lewis also stated that The PLA [People's Liberation Army] is quite hostile and they consider the U.S. as a target because it is in decline. “They feel they have justification for their actions.”
The war games began through CSIS and a Beijing think tank, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. This has allowed government officials, and those from the U.S. intelligence agencies, to have contact in a less formal environment.
Last year, according to Fox News, China apparently confirmed the existence of what the article called an elite cyber-warfare outfit with the name, “Blue Army.” Many within the internet security industry have long believed that it is hackers based in China who are the largest source of worldwide cyber attacks.
For more information, two reports of interest may be found at: White House Cyberspace Policy and International Strategy for Cyberspace.
