Quotable

"Maintaining peace on the Internet and avoiding cyberwars is in the interest of both China and the United States. We hope that the United States can earnestly turn its comments into policy and action and work with China to create a peaceful, open, safe and cooperative space online."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei responds on Monday to comments by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on cybersecurity. Hagel said at the National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland, on Friday that the United States does not seek to "militarize" cyberspace. The Pentagon "will maintain an approach of restraint to any cyber-operations outside US government networks," Hagel said.