US panel slams China on economy, defense, Google

The US-China Economic and Security Commission, an official US panel that monitors Washington’s dealings with China, attacked Beijing for its economic and defense policies, the Financial Times reported. The commission’s annual survey accused Beijing of being a currency manipulator and stated that Washington’s trade deficit with China was "a major drag on the US economy." It also flagged fears that recent cyber attacks on the US were backed by China. "(T)he penetration of Google’s (GOOG.NASDAQ) computer network this year has renewed concerns about the Chinese government’s tolerance or possible sponsorship of malicious computer activity," the survey said. The commission has been described by a widely read newsletter on US-Asian ties as "increasingly speaking for the mainstream view of China in the US." Its annual survey is reported to the US Congress.