Re comments that this has been going on a long time, and that the West does it too.<p>It probably has been happening a long time. Many may have assumed it. If Western governments have been papering it over, it's good that it comes out so that citizens and businesses can know how widespread the problem is, and how likely or unlikely anyone will be affected directly. I suspect that if we knew exactly what was happening, most would be surprised at the extent.<p>The West probably does do it too. I strongly suspect that there are a set of "niceties" that Western governments observe (or sometimes not, but there is that restraining tendency). I doubt that any similar niceties exist within the Chinese government at all; the very concept is probably amusing to them.<p>When China starts selling cars in the US, how much espionage do you think will be brought to bear on their US operations and employees? I'm guessing little more than an entry in a catalog at the CIA.<p>How much espionage is potentially brought to bear on Western companies operating within China? If I brought my business to China I would assume it was targeted. If I brought my business to Canada I wouldn't give it a thought.<p>IANASpook (but then, I would say that)