GETTY China aims to create a 'cyber army' by investing in new schools

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The Cyberspace Administration of China and China’s education ministry announced plans to “build four to six world-famous cyber-security schools in ten years [from 2017 to 2027]”. A statement claimed select colleges and universities will implement "comprehensive" interdisciplinary programs that blend engineering expertise with legal and management studies, to “train cyber-security personnel”. Critics have argued that China “aims to build a cyber army”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China ought to “take great effort, invest big money, invite [the] best teachers, compile excellent teaching materials, recruit good students and build first-class cyber security schools”. As part of the program, four to six colleges and universities will be chosen to receive government resources. President Xi added that China should “confidently uphold our sovereignty in cyberspace, clearly declare our claim,” and “increase our voice and rule-making power in cyberspace”.

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The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission released a report last year claiming Chinese spies repeatedly infiltrated US national security agencies, including official email accounts, and stole state secrets. The report added: "The United States faces a large and growing threat to its national security from Chinese intelligence collection operations. "Among the most serious threats are China’s efforts at cyber and human infiltration of US national security entities."

In 2015, four Chinese-speaking hackers were arrested in China for their involvement in the breach of the US Office of Personnel Management’s database. Chinese hackers have recently been accused of building a “back door” into software in an attempt to spy on the UK’s top businesses. The code has been spread around the world through a compromised software update for server management software from tech firm NetSarang.

GETTY China is building four to six new cyber security schools

GETTY China has been accused of being involved in a series of cyber hacks