China's ministry of national defence slams US for cyber security "hypocrisy"

Defence official Colonel Yang Yujun says Prism demonstrates US double standards over cyber surveillance

China's Ministry of National Defence has slammed the US for its apparent double standards over cyber surveillance.

In a briefing with Chinese reporters, Colonel Yang Yujun referred to the US's National Security Agency's (NSA) Prism data-gathering programme as evidence that the US is acting with double standards.

"The Prism-gate affair is itself just like a prism that reveals the true face and hypocritical conduct regarding internet security of the country concerned," reported the New York Times.

"The Prism-gate affair again reminds us that we must attach even more importance to internet and information security protection, and resolutely protect internet security and national security," he added.

Former National Security Agency (NSA) and CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who worked for the private contractor Booz Allen, has leaked several documents detailing how the Prism programme collected email and internet usage.

Snowden's leaked documents have also shown how technology giants including Apple, Facebook and Google may have helped the US government to access their systems via a "backdoor" or direct connection to their systems - a suggestion that the top tech firms vehemently deny.

Snowden has also detailed how the US monitored Chinese websites and installations. The US government had introduced a "cyber espionage review" process into future purchases of IT in March.

The law specifically names China, and also stipulates that the assessment must include "any risk associated with such system being produced, manufactured or assembled by one or more entities that are owned, directed or subsidised".

The US has pointed to evidence that it claims indicates the involvement of the People's Liberation Army in cyber espionage. However, Colonel Yang said the Prism revelations have exposed the US's hypocrisy over the issue of cyber security.

"To on the one hand abuse one's advantages in information technology for selfish ends, while on the other hand, making baseless accusations against other countries, shows double standards that will be of no help for peace and security in cyberspace," he stated.

The affair, though, has also turned attention onto China's own system of internet surveillance and control, with chat rooms and online commentators strongly criticising the US for its web surveillance activities - before asking the same questions of Chinese authorities.