Kerry, Wang discuss Sony hacking

TOKYO, Dec 22 (KUNA) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart John Kerry have discussed issues including the hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment and China-US relations, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Monday.
During their telephone conversation late Sunday, Wang told Kerry that China is against all forms of cyber attacks and "cyberterrorism," according to the report.
Wang made the remarks after Kerry briefed him on his views on the recent cyber attack on Sony. "China is opposed to any country or any individual to launch cyber attacks via facilities in another country on a third country," Wang said.
US President Barack Obama said Sunday that he regards the hacking of Sony Pictures as an "act of cyber vandalism" rather than an "act of war," while reiterating the US will respond proportionately.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) claimed Friday that investigators had found what it called "enough information" to conclude that the North Korea was "responsible for" the attack, which reportedly targeted a comedy, which stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as journalists who are charged with assassinating North Koreaآ’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
The hackers threatened to disclose more Sony data if it goes ahead with the movie's release, while warning movie-goers to stay away from theaters if they were to screen the movie. But Pyongyang on Saturday rejected the US accusation. "Reference to the past cyber attacks quite irrelevant with the DPRK (North Korea) and a string of presumptive assertions such as 'similarity' and 'repetition' can convince no one," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.
The spokesman also said Pyongyang will target its retaliation at only those responsible for anti-North Korea acts and their bases, but will not get involved in "terrorist attacks on innocent audience in theaters." It also warned the US of "serious consequences" should it reject the proposal for a joint investigation and insist on taking responsive measures.
As for China-US relations, Wang told Kerry that the two countries could earnestly implement the consensus reached last month between the Chinese and US presidents, strengthening exchanges, coordination and cooperation, and respecting each other's core interests and major concerns, so as to achieve greater development in bilateral ties. (end) mk.tg