Obama, Xi Discuss Military-to-Military Relations, Cybersecurity
From: American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2013 – President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jingpin said their two countries need to develop better military-to-military relations and improve cybersecurity cooperation during a session with reporters at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs, Calif., yesterday.
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Obama and Xi are in California to discuss a range of issues during two-days of informal talks.
Yesterday before dinner, Obama told reporters that he and Xi “had a very constructive conversation on a whole range of strategic issues, from North Korea to cyberspace to international institutions.”
“And I’m very much looking forward to continuing the conversation, not only tonight at dinner but also tomorrow,” Obama said. He then invited questions from the American and Chinese press covering the talks.
One American reporter asked Obama about alleged Chinese cyber-hacking attacks on the United States. The reporter also asked Xi if China has been launching cyberattacks against the United States, or if he believed the U.S. has launched cyberattacks against China.
Obama responded that he and Xi haven’t yet had in-depth discussions about the cybersecurity issue.
“We’re speaking at the 40,000-foot level, and we’ll have more intensive discussions during this evening’s dinner,” Obama said.
“What both President Xi and I recognize,” Obama added, “is that because of these incredible advances in technology, that the issue of cybersecurity and the need for rules and common approaches to cybersecurity are going to be increasingly important as part of bilateral relationships and multilateral relationships.
“In some ways, these are uncharted waters and you don’t have the kinds of protocols that have governed military issues, for example, and arms issues, where nations have a lot of experience in trying to negotiate what’s acceptable and what’s not,” Obama continued. “And it’s critical, as two of the largest economies and military powers in the world that China and the United States arrive at a firm understanding of how we work together on these issues.”
Obama also told the reporter, “when it comes to those cybersecurity issues like hacking or theft, those are not issues that are unique to the U.S.-China relationship.”
“Those are issues that are of international concern,” Obama added. “Oftentimes, it’s non-state actors who are engaging in these issues as well. And we’re going to have to work very hard to build a system of defenses and protections, both in the private sector and in the public sector, even as we negotiate with other countries around setting up common rules of the road.”
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