Snowden revelations imperil cyber hacking talks with China

Revelations of U.S. spying on Chinese universities and businesses risk undermining cybersecurity talks with China scheduled for next week. The Obama Administration had hoped to press China on the issue during the fifth round of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue. Instead, it finds itself on the defensive amid former contractor Edward Snowden's allegations that the National Security Agency has been spying not only on the Chinese government but on universities, students and businesses as well. “The U.S. in the cyber arena is trying to draw a bright red line,” said Kenneth Lieberthal, a former senior director for Asia at the White House who's now with the Brookings China Center. “I think the Snowden revelations clearly give China an increased opportunity to muddy the waters.”