The US has filed criminal charges against five Chinese military officers , alleging they hacked into the computer systems of five US companies and a labour union to steal trade secrets, the first time Washington has singled out a foreign government for such offences.
The announcement marks a substantial escalation in US efforts to curb what it says has been widespread theft of information and technology by Chinese military and intelligence for commercial advantage.
The justice department said a unit of the People’s Liberation Army in Shanghai had targeted Alcoa, Allegheny Technologies, SolarWorld, US Steel and Westinghouse Electric, as well as the United Steelworkers Union.