US looking at action against China cyberattacks

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is considering more assertive action against Beijing to combat a persistent cyber-espionage campaign it believes Chinese hackers are waging against United States companies and government agencies.

As The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that their computer systems had been infiltrated by China-based hackers, cybersecurity experts said the US government is eyeing more pointed diplomatic and trade measures.

Two former US officials said the administration is preparing a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that, when complete, is expected to detail the cyberthreat, particularly from China, as a growing economic problem.

One official said it also will cite more directly a role by the Chinese government in such espionage.