Chinese hackers stole Mekong data from Cambodian foreign ministry – sources

Buried in a long U.S. indictment accusing China of a global cyberespionage campaign was a curious detail: Among the governments targeted by Chinese hackers was Cambodia, one of Beijing’s most loyal Asian allies.

The target of the hack, which two sources with knowledge of the indictment said was Cambodia’s foreign ministry, was also revealing – discussions between China and Cambodia over the use of the Mekong River, which has become a new battleground for U.S. and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia.

Four Chinese nationals – three security officials and a contract hacker – have been charged in the United States with attacks aimed at dozens of companies, universities and government agencies in the United States and abroad, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday.

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Prak Chan ThulJames Pearson