Chinese government paper praises convicted hacker of U.S. defence firm

Describing him as a loyal “government soldier,” the Chinese government’s Global Times newspaper has praised the actions of accused hacker Su Bin for his part in allegedly hacking secrets from several U.S. defense contractors. Although the government line is to continue denying having anything to do with the attack, the paper stated that Bin’s actions should be praised, whether he is found guilty or innocent.

Having spent some time in Canada fighting extradition, Su Bin was eventually brought into custody and sent to the U.S. after striking a deal whereby if he pleaded guilty, he would receive no more than five years in jail for the hack. Purportedly having taken place between 2009 and 2013, Bin and two accomplices are said to have stolen and then attempted to sell on secrets to Chinese companies, which related to the F-22, F-35, and C-17 military aircraft.