The federal government has demanded China close down an intelligence service-backed hacking group engaged in a global plot to steal intellectual property from the West.
Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the US over their alleged membership of the hackers operating in China and known in global intelligence circles as Advanced Persistent Threat 10 ((APT10)).
The group acts on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security and has targeted companies and government agencies across the world.
It tried to access to intellectual property and other sensitive business information.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton have said that A-P-T-10's intrusions are significant and a serious concern.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre Director, Alastair MacGibbon has urged Australian businesses to be vigilant.
