Japanese leader hits Chinese hacking in speech to Congress

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe targeted China’s hacking of trade secrets during his speech to Congress on Wednesday.

“We cannot overlook sweat shops or violence or the environment,” Abe said, pausing. “Nor can we simply allow free riders on intellectual property.”

{mosads}The line — a clear reference to hacking by China — brought the joint session of Congress to its feet for an extended applause break.

China has been repeatedly tied to industrial hacking, something that has become a major irritant both within the Asian region and to U.S. officials.

In its recently updated National Security Strategy, the White House took the unprecedented step of calling out China for hacking the U.S. private sector and said it would defend its commercial networks against the intrusions.

During Abe’s weeklong visit to Washington, the Obama administration has worked to get Japan on board with helping to thwart these digital assaults, which U.S. officials have called “the greatest transfer of wealth in history.”

Abe and President Obama unveiled on Tuesday a wide-ranging cybersecurity pact with the goal of setting international cyber norms to counter China’s expanding attempts to control digital information both at home and abroad.

The two world leaders also agreed to share more information about the state-sponsored cyber theft of intellectual property, seemingly a direct reference to China’s cyber activities.

On Wednesday, Abe told Congress that the broader agreement — which includes commitments to strengthening joint environmental work, scientific research and economic partnerships — “is historic.”

U.S. and Japan military leaders also revealed updated defense guidelines on Monday that will enable closer cooperation on cybersecurity missions.

“We must fortify the U.S.-Japan alliance,” Abe told Congress. “That is our responsibility.”