Justice Department Charges Chinese Hackers In Bid To Curtail Cyber-Theft

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was among those at the Justice Department who announced charges against Chinese cyber-attackers on Thursday. It could escalate tensions between the great powers.

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Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET

The Justice Department announced charges Thursday against two alleged hackers suspected of working on the orders of the Chinese government as part what the U.S. alleges is a long-running effort to steal American intellectual property.

The charges were part of a broader move by the Trump administration to push back against what U.S. officials describe as China’s relentless drive to steal American business secrets.