China's state-owned sector told to cut ties with US consulting firms

LONDON: China has told its state-owned enterprises to sever links with American consulting firms just days after the US charged five Chinese military officers with hacking US companies, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The May 19 indictment was the first criminal hacking charge the US has filed against specific foreign officials. It follows a steady increase in public criticism and private confrontation, including at a summit last year between US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping.