Cyber-spying tops the agenda as presidents meet

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (AP):The United States (US) and China are in "uncharted waters" as they tackle the contentious issue of cybersecurity, President Barack Obama said following the opening round of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in the California desert.

Both Obama and Xi carefully avoided directly accusing each other of cyber-espionage.

But they acknowledged an urgent need to find a common approach to addressing the matter.

"We don't have the kind of protocols that have governed military issues and arms issues, where nations have a lot of experience in trying to negotiate what's acceptable and what's not," Obama said during a news conference with Xi late Friday on the grounds of the sprawling Sunnylands estate.

The question-and-answer session with reporters was bookended by more than two hours of private talks and a working dinner.

Obama and Xi reconvened yesterday morning for another round of discussions, which mark the first time the two men have met since Xi took office in March.

US officials cast the more relaxed California summit as an opportunity for Obama and Xi to hold candid and free-flowing talks on the myriad issues that define the relationship between the two countries, including the economy, climate change and North Korea's nuclear provocation.

However, it is cybersecurity that has taken on increasing importance to the Obama administration in its recent talks with China.

Because of advances in technology, the issue of cybersecurity and the need for rules and common approach for cybersecurity are going to be increasingly important, Obama said.

According to Obama, it is critical that the US and China reach a "firm understanding" on cyber issues. But he stopped short of accusing China of orchestrating hacking attacks on American government and business computers.

Xi claimed no responsibility for China's alleged actions. He said his nation was also a victim of cyber-spying, but did not assign any blame.