Pentagon: Beijing boosts cyberwarfare

By Bill Gertz (Contact) | Thursday, March 26, 2009

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The U.S. military is also developing cyber warfare defense and attack capabilities.

The report disclosed three computer attacks by suspected PRC actors.

In April 2008, the computer networks at India's Ministry of External Affairs was attacked by Chinese hackers, and in May 2008 Belgium's government was attacked by Chinese hackers.

Also in May 2008, suspected Chinese agents secretly copied contents of a U.S. Government laptop during a visit to China by the U.S. commerce secretary and used the information to try to penetrate into Commerce computers.

Computer attacks are one element of what Chinese military theorists call integrated network electronic warfare, to include electronic disrupters and kinetic strikes on enemy infrastructures.

A new section of the report outlined China's global military engagement, reflecting efforts by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to develop a greater military dialogue with China.

The report made no mention of China's cutting off of U.S. military ties to protest the $6.5 billion arms sale to Taiwan announced in October.

The report also says:

• Chinese nuclear forces improved both qualitatively and quantitatively with new solid-fueled DF-31 and DF-31A road-mobile missiles, and the development of a new JL-2 sea-based nuclear missile. The long- and medium-range nuclear missile forces include about 160 missiles, including 20 new DF-31s and DF-31As.

• Chinese missiles will grow more lethal with development of maneuvering re-entry vehicles (MaRV), multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles (MIRV), decoys, chaff, jamming, thermal shielding and anti-satellite weapons. The new systems, including long-range cruise missiles, will boost strategic strike capabilities.