Spyed on, China demands explanation from the US.
Big Brother Obama is getting into more and more trouble; after spying on Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Spain, he's also messed with the powerful China, with the collaboration of Australian embassies. "China is extremely concerned about this report and demands that the United States offer clarification and an explanation," said Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry; how far will this crisis go?
BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - China has demanded an explanation from the United States after an Australian newspaper reported that Australian embassies, including the one in Beijing, are being used as part of a US-led espionage operation.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday that intelligence gathering is taking place at Australian embassies in Asia, as well as other diplomatic missions, without the knowledge of most Australian diplomats.
"China is extremely concerned about this report and demands that the United States provide clarification and an explanation," said Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a press conference.
"We also demand that foreign embassies in China and their staff respect the Vienna Convention... and other international treaties and not engage in any activities that are not in accordance with their status or post and that harm the security and interests of China," he added.
China and Australia have reached a consensus to increase cooperation, and both see each other as an opportunity for development, according to Hua.
It is believed that China's own security services maintain a sophisticated wiretapping and surveillance operation, at least internally, although the government denies accusations that it attempts to hack into computer networks abroad.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard)