Media organizations in mainland China and Hong Kong are persistently seeking answers and an apology from U.S. over the revelations made by whistleblower Edward Snowden on the cyber crimes.
Media Asks U.S. For An Explanation For Snowden’s Allegations
The local newspapers including People’s Daily have been repeatedly asking U.S. to end the “hypocrisy of a thief shouting ‘stop thief!'” and provide answers to allegations made by Snowden that US intelligence agencies continuously breach Chinese computer networks.
The revelations made by Snowden also defend the decision by Hong Kong government of not arresting Mr Snowden and to allow him to fly to Moscow.
On Sunday, the official Xinhua News Agency told that Mr Snowden’s allegations of U.S. spying on Chinese networks had “put Washington in a really awkward situation”.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s Global Times says that China should use the opportunity to counter-attack on the similar allegations leveled by Washington against China over the state-sponsored cyber-espionage.
Jia Xiudong, a researcher at China Institute of International Studies, a foreign ministry-affiliated think-tank, says that the extent of U.S. interference in the China’s Internet information is “shocking” and “beyond expectation”. Though the online attacks are not for anti-terrorism efforts but for other reasons like commercial and strategic motives, still Washington has to provide an explanation to China and the world, says Mr Jia.
Hong Kong Government Praised
Hong Kong government’s role in handling the full even has been lauded by Hong Kong Economic Journal.
According to Sing Tao Daily, there will be no major impact on the US and Hong Kong’s relationship as the local government has handled the crisis well by practicing neutrality and the rule of law.
Another post from South China Morning, says for Hong Kong and China there “could be no better outcome.” The post further said, irrespective of the motives behind the revelations by the Snowden, it has sparked the much needed debate over government access to personal data. Also, the government did what it was suppose to do and “Beijing was wise to keep a distance.”
Russia Also Defied U.S.
Meanwhile, Russia also defied the expectations of U.S. to hand Edward Snowden to Washington, says a report from Reuters. Snowden, 29 has kept out of sight in the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport as Ecuador is considering his asylum request.
Snowden’s decision to fly to Russia is another embarrassment to President Barack Obama who is trying to build ties with both Moscow and Beijing.
Earlier, Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the National Security Council told that they expect Russia to hand Snowden back to the United States “to face justice for the crimes with which he is charged.”
However, like the Chinese government, Russian government ignored the appeal, and denied having any information on Snowden.
