Chinese reportedly try to hack Rudd

CANBERRA, Australia, April 2 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was targeted by electronic spies during his visit to China last year, The Australian reported Friday.

There were countless attempts to intercept electronic communications from laptop computers and cell phones used by Rudd and his aides, the newspaper said. Intelligence sources said the Chinese also attack government and business networks in Australia and foreign embassies in Canberra.

Rudd is constantly text messaging. Sources say he is aware of the need for security in communications and the possibility that they may be intercepted.

Australia barred a Chinese company, Minmetals, from buying a mine in South Australia last week because it is near the Woomera testing range.

"It's a serious problem but it doesn't mean we should not do business with China," a senior official told The Australian. "Of course not. But we have to minimize the negatives. We have to develop at the military, intelligence and economic and business levels prudent counter-measures."