寸土必爭:五角大樓稱中國網絡戰繼續升級

Beijing is engaged in systematic cyber spying on the US military and private businesses to acquire technology to boost its military modernisation and strengthen its capacity in any regional crisis, according to the Pentagon.

五角大樓稱，中國正對美國軍方和私營企業展開系統化的網絡間諜活動，以求獲取有助於中國軍事現代化的技術、加強自身在地區性危機中的實力。

In its annual report to Congress on the People’s Liberation Army, the Pentagon gives new emphasis to the threat of cyber espionage from China, an issue that has been the subject of top-level complaints to Beijing by Washington.

在其提交給美國國會的、關於中國人民解放軍的年度報告中，五角大樓對來自中國的網絡間諜活動威脅給予了新的強調。這個問題已成爲美方向中方發出的高層抱怨的主題。

The report says China “is using its computer network exploitation capability to support intelligence collection against the US diplomatic, economic and defence industrial base sectors that support US national (military) programmes.”

報告稱，中國“正動用其電腦網絡利用能力來支持情報收集活動，活動的目標是那些支撐美國國家（軍事）計劃的美國外交、經濟和國防工業基礎部門。”

Although such allegations have long been directed at China, the Pentagon’s comments are perhaps the strongest yet about an issue that is raising the ire of many of Beijing’s critics in Congress. Washington has also used cyber warfare tactics, most notably in its battle to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability, but US officials have said the country does not steal commercial or technological secrets.

雖然中國一直受到這類指控，但五角大樓的最新報告在措辭上可能是迄今爲止最強烈的。這個問題正在美國國會中激起許多對中國持批評態度的人士的怒火。美國自身也使用網絡戰戰術，最突出的就是它爲阻止伊朗獲得核武能力而發起的網絡戰鬥，但美國官員表示，美國並不竊取商業或技術祕密。

In its report, the Pentagon paints a picture of a highly organised adversary which is using multiple methods to acquire technology, ranging from state businesses to students to old-fashioned espionage.

五角大樓在報告中描繪了一個具有高度組織性的對手。從國企、留學生到傳統的間諜手段，這個對手正利用多種方法來獲取技術。

“China continues to leverage foreign investments, commercial joint ventures, academic exchanges, the experience of repatriated Chinese students and researchers, and state-sponsored industrial and technical espionage to increase the level of technologies and expertise available to support military research, development and acquisition,” the report says.

“中國繼續利用海外投資、商業合資項目、學術交流、回國的中國留學生和研究人員的經驗、以及政府支持的工業和技術間諜活動，來提高技術水平、提升可支持軍事研究、開發及獲取的技能，”報告表示。

“In 2012, numerous computer systems around the world, including those owned by the US government, continued to be targeted for intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military.”

“2012年，世界各地有無數電腦系統，包括美國政府擁有的電腦系統，繼續成爲侵入目標，其中一些侵入行爲似乎可直接歸咎於中國政府和中國軍方。”

The PLA is under the direct leadership of the Communist party, and its head, Xi Jinping, appointed last year. Mr Xi carries the less important title of state president as well. The party also appoints all the senior executives of the big state-owned enterprises, arousing suspicion from China’s rivals overseas that these companies are both commercial entities and vehicles for the broader interests of the state.

解放軍受中國共產黨及去年上任的中共中央總書記習近平的直接領導。習近平另外還擔任重要性不那麼高的國家主席職務。中共還任命大型國有企業的所有高管，這種做法使得中國在海外的對手懷疑這些企業既是商業實體、也是國家整體利益的工具。

The Pentagon report reiterates that the primary aim of PLA modernisation has been to ensure that Beijing prevails in any possible clash with Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province and part of China.

五角大樓的報告重申，解放軍現代化的首要目標是確保中國大陸在其與臺灣可能發生的衝突中佔據上風。北京方面把臺灣視爲一個叛離省份及中國的一部分。

But while preparing for a potential conflict in the Strait of Taiwan appears to remain China’s principal focus, the military has been expanding its contacts with the armed forces of other countries.

但是，儘管爲臺海潛在衝突進行準備似乎仍是中國的主要關注點，但中國軍方近來也一直在擴大對抗範圍，與其他國家的軍隊發生對峙。

“Its military modernisation has also become increasingly focused on investments in capabilities to conduct a wider range of missions beyond its immediate territorial concerns,” the report says.

“中國的軍事現代化還日益聚焦於投資發展各種能力，以執行超出其緊迫領土關切範圍的更廣泛任務，”報告表示。

The PLA’s expanded role has included counter-piracy and humanitarian assistance missions.

解放軍擴大後的角色迄今已包括打擊海盜和執行人道主義援助任務。