David Cameron challenges China to be more open about cyber-security
David Cameron has challenged the Chinese leadership to do more to open up on the highly sensitive area of cyber-security amid fears in the EU and the US that Beijing is responsible for the world's most aggressive online attacks. The prime minister asked Li Keqiang, the Chinese premier, to agree to a formal dialogue on cyber-security, which he described as an "issue of mutual concern". Li said Beijing was prepared to discuss the issue.
Cameron's move came after a Commons committee raised concerns about Britain's decision to license £600m in cryptographic equipment to China. The committee said: "China is a one-party state, where there is no clear boundary between the Communist party and the private sector. It would seem highly likely that there is a real risk that some cryptographic exports that may be going into the private sector initially end up being utilised by security services in China."
