Myanmar unrest death toll reaches 43

The toll from violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) has risen to 43. Source: AAP

THE death toll from recent communal violence in central Myanmar (Burma) has risen to 43 with more than 1300 homes and other buildings destroyed, state media has reported.

Sixty-eight people have been arrested in connection with the Buddhist-Muslim unrest, which has left 11,376 people homeless, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Saturday.

In total, 163 incidences of violence have been reported in 15 townships, it added.

Previously the official death toll stood at 40.

The situation appears to have calmed since President Thein Sein on Thursday vowed a tough response against those behind the violence, which he attributed to "political opportunists and religious extremists".

Security forces fired warning shots on Wednesday to disperse rioters. But Muslim leaders have criticised the security forces for failing to stop the attacks.

The clashes were apparently triggered by an argument in a gold shop that turned into a riot, but witnesses say the wave of violence since then appears to have been well organised.

It is the worst sectarian strife since violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the western state of Rakhine last year left at least 180 people dead and more than 110,000 displaced.

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Rudd tells China to be cautious of N Korea

Kevin Rudd faces the media in Brisbane. Picture: Darren England Source: News Limited

FORMER prime minister and foreign minister Kevin Rudd has told officers of Beijing's main defence academy that the world is looking to China to use its influence to quell the aggression of North Korea.

In a speech this week to China's National Defence University, reported by The Australian newspaper on Saturday, Mr Rudd said North Korea's nuclear program poses a serious threat to China's relations with its neighbours.

The speech was made two days before North Korea announced on Saturday that it had formally entered into a "state of war" with South Korea.

In the latest in a string of pronouncements from Pyongyang and tough warnings from Seoul and Washington, a government statement from North Korea said: "As of now, inter-Korea relations enter a state of war and all matters between the two Koreas will be handled according to wartime protocol."

The White House said it took the new warning seriously but added that Pyongyang's threats were following a familiar pattern.

The Australian said Mr Rudd's Beijing address had coincided with the United States' confirmation on Thursday that it had sent two B-2 stealth bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, to drop munitions on a target range on a South Korean island.

Mr Rudd told his audience of officers that the diplomatic efforts of all nations but China had failed to persuade North Korea against its shows of aggression.

But while China had gone to considerable lengths to try to change North Korea's behaviour, Pyongyang had rewarded it by launching its third underground test during China's Spring Festival holiday.

And while China was announcing its new leadership to the world, North Korea had declared its renunciation of the 1953 armistice.

Pyongyang's antics threatened China's foreign policy objectives because Asian nations were beginning to co-operate on regional anti-ballistic missile defences, which could work against China as well as North Korea, Mr Rudd said.

North Korea's threats to bomb the US and its allies and to reduce the South Korean capital of Seoul to a smouldering ruin had come as some in Japan and South Korea were pushing for their countries to develop nuclear weapons of their own.

"Our Chinese friends would also appreciate that other countries of the region have profound concerns about both the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program of North Korea and its inflammatory declaratory language concerning its preparedness unilaterally to use armed force against the South and other 'unnamed aggressors' in Asia," Mr Rudd said.

He added: "The most immediate and significant threat to a new form of strategic co-operation between Beijing and Washington, and between Beijing and the rest of the region, lies in the North Korean nuclear program.

"North Korea's nuclear posture is of itself causing the US and its allies in the region to enhance their co-operation on ballistic missile defence in order to counter the North Korean threat.

"Such ballistic missile defence co-operation also of course has wider implications for China's national and security interests beyond the Korean Peninsula.

"China's own global foreign policy standing is suffering and will continue to suffer as a result of North Korean adventurism."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will next week lead a delegation to China that includes ministers Bob Carr, Craig Emerson and Bill Shorten for talks on trade, security and clean energy.

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WA man dies in sand dune accident

A man has died after coming off his motorbike in sand dunes north of Geraldton in WA. Source: AAP

A MAN has died in Western Australia after crashing his motorcycle in sand dunes.

Police say the 29-year-old Geraldton resident was riding an off-road motorbike in dunes north of Geraldton, WA, when he crashed about 5pm (WST) on Friday.

A friend found him at the base of a steep, 10 metre dune.

Police believe the man failed to negotiate the dune and fell, sustaining fatal injuries.

He died in hospital.

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NSW govt says deputy pay rise gone

THE NSW government says a recent regulation giving deputy premiers an extra $1000-a-week when they act as premier is being repealed.

Premier Barry O'Farrell approved the regulation last month but Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner chose not to take the money after a public outcry, during which he was labelled "the greediest man in parliament" by Labor.

Shadow special minister of state Walt Secord said on Friday that the regulation had still not been revoked, meaning in future any deputy premier could take it up.

But a spokesman for Mr Stoner on Friday reiterated that the deputy premier had declined the higher duties allowance when acting as premier.

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Vic faithful flock to city for Good Friday

ABOUT 2000 worshippers have re-enacted the stations of the cross in Melbourne as part of an annual event that is growing each year.

The procession, called The Way of the Cross, was started by Melbourne City Churches in Action 12 years ago to bring people together on Good Friday.

Commemorating Jesus's final hours from the last supper to crucifixion and resurrection, it initially attracted just a couple of hundred people, organiser Jamie Pearce said on Friday.

"There was a feeling that there was nothing much happening in the city on Good Friday that was in any way shared," Mr Pearce said.

He said police had estimated the number of people attending this year at between 1800 and 2000.

The procession visited nine city churches, finishing at St Paul's Cathedral, with followers pausing for a reading and prayers with each stop.

Mr Pearce said the gathering on Sunday morning for the final station - the resurrection - will be significantly smaller than Friday's procession.

"It's usually only about 40 of us," he said. "They put on champagne in celebration of the resurrection.

"It's quite a bash."

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Qld toddler injured after boat capsizes

A TODDLER has been left with head injuries after a boat capsized on the Gold Coast.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman says paramedics were called out to the incident at Surfers Paradise about 12.30pm (AEST) on Friday.

When they arrived, they treated the injured 18-month-old tot and a 60-year-old man with a cut to his leg.

Both were taken to Gold Coast hospital.

A third patient was assessed but did not require treatment.

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Vic govt, teachers agree to more talks

VICTORIA'S teachers and government have agreed to intensive negotiations to end a long-running pay dispute.

The teachers' union will hold talks with the government over the next two weeks with the aim of resolving the disagreement before April 15.

The parties released identical statements on Thursday calling the development "significant progress".

The union has agreed to suspend its industrial action during the talks.

Several statewide strikes have been held during the dispute, which has dogged the state government for the past two years.

The government last week backed down on its demand for the teachers to accept performance-based pay.

The union revised its claim to the government in November, asking for a 4.2 per cent rise per year over three years.

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Asylum seekers targeting loophole: Crossin

Asylum seekers are trying to exploit a legislative loophole, Senator Trish Crossin says. Source: AAP

LABOR Senator Trish Crossin says asylum seekers are trying to land on mainland Australia to exploit a legislative loophole that means they may avoid offshore processing.

A boat of 147 asylum seekers was picked up by authorities southwest of Darwin on Wednesday.

Asked about the arrival, Senator Crossin said it was not the first time people had made it close to Darwin or the Top End.

"There is an explanation as to why they are doing this," Ms Crossin told ABC radio.

"There is currently a loophole in the legislation.

"If you were taken to Christmas Island or you arrived at Christmas Island you run the risk of being transported and run the risk of being taken to Nauru or Manus Island.

"If you come to the mainland however that is not the case."

She said legislation to correct the loophole was currently in federal parliament.

Meanwhile the government is denying claims by federal MP Natasha Griggs that another asylum vessel was intercepted last week 80km to 100km from the Australian coast near Darwin.

Ms Griggs told AAP she was concerned there was no notification of the boat's interception, especially as it came relatively close to Australia's mainland and carried 70 people.

She said she was tipped off to the boat's arrival by distressed locals and had the information confirmed by authorities.

"The concern is that it looks like the people smugglers are changing their tactics by coming here towards Darwin," she said.

But a spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said no such vessel had been found.

"This boat doesn't exist," the spokesman said.

"She is claiming all these things without providing evidence for them."

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Newcrest cuts production targets

GOLD miner Newcrest has cut its production targets by about 10 per cent due to ongoing challenges at its Lihir operations.

Newcrest, which also announced a series of executive changes, reduced its gold production guidance to 2.00 to 2.15 million ounces for the 2013 financial year, which is about 10 per cent below its original forecast.

Shares in Newcrest were down by $1.13, or 5.17 per cent at $20.74 at 1420 AEDT.

"Primarily as a result of the restricted production capacity at Lihir and continuing challenges with poor ground conditions at Gosowong (Indonesia), the company has determined that the original guidance provided for financial year 2012/13 gold production is no longer achievable," Newcrest said in a statement.

Newcrest said the mid-point of the revised guidance was around 10 per cent below the original minimum guidance level.

Annual copper production guidance remains unchanged at 75,000 to 85,000 tonnes, while full year site cost guidance and full year capital guidance were unchanged.

In Papua New Guinea, production at Lihir is in the range of 620,000 to 680,000 ounces, while Gosowong production is in the range of 300,000 to 325,000 ounces for the 2013 financial year.

Newcrest has decided to undertake a complete repair of its autoclave at Lihir to ensure a long-term, reliable and safe performance.

Repair work is expected to take between five to seven weeks to complete.

The company said its Telfer operation in Western Australia was affected by the heavy rainfall in February associated with Cyclone Rusty but is still expected to reach its original guidance.

Meanwhile, operations at Cadia Valley in NSW and Bonikro in the Ivory Coast are expected to deliver within their original guidance ranges, while Hidden Valley production in PNG is in the range of 80,000 to 90,000 ounces.

Newcrest also announced the appointment of Geoff Day as executive general manager (EGM) of sustainability and external affairs to succeed Stephen Creese who is retiring from his current role as EGM of corporate affairs on July 1.

Chief operating officer Greg Jackson will now focus on special projects, while Lihir EGM Brett Fletcher and EGM Australia and Indonesian Operations Peter Smith will report directly to the chief executive Greg Robinson.

Last month Newcrest reported that first half profit dropped by 51 per cent due to weaker production and sales.

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US state outlaws most abortions

THE state of North Dakota has approved the most restrictive abortion laws in the United States, a move that challenges federal protection of a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.

Republican Governor Jack Dalrymple signed a bill on Tuesday that bans any abortion after a fetal heart beat can be detected, typically around six weeks after conception when many women don't realise they are pregnant.

There are no exceptions for rape, incest, the health of the mother or if she would lose the pregnancy anyway as a result of a fetal abnormality.

Dalrymple also signed two bills which ban abortion because of genetic defects or for the purpose of gender selection.

North Dakota's Republican-dominated state legislature passed a law on Friday that asks voters to amend the state constitution to define life as beginning at conception.

If ratified in a November 2014 election, the amendment would grant full legal protection to embryos and fetuses and could outlaw some forms of birth control, stem cell research and possibly IVF.

The laws will undoubtedly prompt legal challenges - but their supporters welcome any chance this gives them to overturn the US Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe vs Wade decision legalising abortion.

Dalrymple ordered the legislature to allocate funds to fight any legal challenges and hoped to prevail with the fetal heartbeat bill.

"Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question, this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe vs Wade," he said.

"Because the US Supreme Court has allowed state restrictions on the performing of abortions and because the Supreme Court has never considered this precise restriction ... the constitutionality of this measure is an open question."

Pro-choice advocates insist the legislation will be overturned in court.

"This sweeping package of bills will not stand up to constitutional scrutiny," said Sarah Stoesz, president of Planned Parenthood in North Dakota.

"But as a result of North Dakota's leaders' disregard for women's health, the state will endure months and years of drawn-out litigation costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars."

The Supreme Court refused to review the Roe decision in October, turning away a petition on an amendment to Oklahoma's constitution that would have granted "personhood" to embryos.

Other cases are expected to come before the court in the coming months as some 20 states have laws on the books to ban or heavily restrict abortion should the Supreme Court overturn Roe vs Wade.

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No-confidence motion 'progress': Pyne

NEGOTIATIONS with key independents are "making progress" to secure support for a no-confidence motion in the federal government, opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne says.

Mr Pyne says he has talked with crossbench MPs since the opposition announced a motion of no confidence had been placed on parliament's notice paper.

"I am confident that we are making progress, but that remains to be seen when the debate is held and the motion is put," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Mr Pyne said at least one crossbench MP had indicated that budget week would not be an appropriate time for such a debate, effectively pushing it into the following week.

"We want to maximise our chances of bringing the government to an election and that means we'll listen very closely to the cross benches and what they want," he said.

Independent MP Tony Windsor said Mr Pyne had not spoken with him about the no-confidence motion.

"He hasn't raised it with me," Mr Windsor told AAP.

"They will be trying to milk it for the next five to six weeks to try to create some pressure in the electorate, but that sort of stuff doesn't have an impact on me."

Mr Windsor said he was happy to listen to "legitimate argument" on the matter.

Another crossbencher, Craig Thomson, said he would be meeting with other independents in coming weeks.

"But at this point I am not inclined to support the motion because I believe Tony Abbott would be bad for the central coast and for Australia," Mr Thomson told AAP.

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Tolls a matter for Vic govt: Abbott

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has not bought into the issue of whether the Victorian government should impose a toll or sell off existing roads to fund Melbourne's East-West freeway.

The federal coalition has promised $1.5 billion for the multi-billion dollar project, which will require an 18km road to be built connecting the city's Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Road.

Toll road operator ConnectEast boss Dennis Cliche has said the state government will struggle to raise funds for the tunnel and has recommended the sale of the Eastern freeway and to turn it into a toll road.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder says the freeway won't be sold nor be tolled.

But Premier Denis Napthine has not ruled out tolling the East-West Link.

Mr Abbott says how the new freeway is funded is up to the Victorian government.

"How much of a private sector contribution the Victorian government wants, that's really a matter for the Victorian government," Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Mr Abbott says federal Labor has left Victoria in the lurch by refusing to commit to the project.

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Budgets at western Sydney hospitals cut

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has been accused of marking his two years in power by slashing almost $5 million from the budgets of western Sydney's busiest hospitals.

Opposition Leader John Robertson pointed to newly released budget documents for the Western Sydney Local Health District showing $2.94 million will be cut from Westmead Hospital.

Another $1.35 million will be trimmed from Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals while Auburn Hospital will be down $360,000.

This comes on top of $3 million slashed from the staffing budget at the Westmead and Sydney Children's Hospitals this year, Mr Robertson said.

"We should be investing more to help Western Sydney hospitals keep up with growing demand, not less," he said.

Opposition health spokesman Andrew McDonald said it was impossible to slash nearly $5 million from the hospitals without compromising patient care.

"These cuts are forcing medical staff hours to be cut back and wards such as the cardiac unit at Mt Druitt to be closed."

But Mr O'Farrell said Labor should stop getting its information from the unions.

"John Robertson has got to stop listening to the unions and start listening to communities," he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

He said an additional $55 million had gone into the Western Sydney Health Region this year.

Back office and regional office jobs were being cut to divert money to the frontline, the premier said.

"We will not apologise for cutting back office and head office jobs to free up dollars to go into our hospitals and our clinics to ensure that there can be more admissions, there can be more emergency treatments, there can be more emergency surgery," he said.

In question time, Health Minister Jillian Skinner said Blacktown-Mt Druitt hospital was receiving a $324 million upgrade.

"I am very proud that at the two-year mark we have a record budget for health, $17.3 billion in recurrent funding," she told parliament.

"An extra $1.1 billion invested in our hospitals to upgrade facilities that were long promised an upgrade by that lot over there, not delivered right across the state.

"And the irony of it! Which is the biggest hospital upgrade? Blacktown! Blacktown! I can't believe it."

She refuted "spurious" arguments about health budget cuts, saying 3000 nurses and 900 additional medical staff had been employed.

Ms Skinner also pointed to an overall budget increase of $20 million for Westmead Hospital, including a $5 million upgrade for its emergency department.

She said waiting times there had been slashed.

"According to the most recent Bureau of Health report, Westmead Hospital median waiting time ... has gone from 45 minutes under Labor to 31 minutes under us," the minister said.

"So put that in your pipe and smoke it."

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Schapelle Corby's sister bashed in Bali

THE sister of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has been assaulted in Bali.

Mercedes Corby is in Kasih Ibu (Mother Love) Hospital , staff have confirmed to AAP.

"We have admission under the name Mercedes Corby in room 407," a hospital employee said.

"She's suspectedly suffered bone fracture."

The hospital said Ms Corby may have to undergo surgery.

"That's all we can say for now."

It is understood Ms Corby suffered her injuries during an assault in Bali.

The sisters' mother Rosleigh Rose confirmed the incident to news.com.au, but said her daughter wanted privacy.

An Australian man told the website that he witnessed the incident in Bali, saying "she had blood all over her face and her eyes were closed."

Mercedes Corby is married to a Balinese man and lives on the Indonesian island.

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Adelaide desal plant officially opened

A NEW desalination plant means Adelaide has a secure fresh water supply for the first time in its history, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Mr Weatherill on Tuesday officially opened the state's largest water infrastructure project with the $1.8 billion, 100 gigalitre plant coming in on time and on budget.

He said the plant was SA's insurance policy against future droughts.

"For the first time since 1836 we can say with confidence we have guaranteed Adelaide's water security," he said.

The desalination plan has already produced more than 12 billion litres of drinking water for Adelaide, cutting the state's take from the Murray River.

It now moves into a two-year testing period before being mothballed, with the state intending to rely on cheaper water from the Murray and local reservoirs while it remains available.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water Amanda Rishworth said securing a sustainable, safe water supply for all Australians was a key government priority.

"This plant uses energy-efficient water treatment processes and gives this project one of the lowest carbon footprints and operating costs of any desalination plant in the world," she said.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the desalination plant was a white elephant and would still cost taxpayers $30 million a year to run while in stand-by mode.

"The decision to mothball the desalination plant is rubbing salt into the wounds of South Australians, who will still be forced to pay for the plant in their water bills," Mr Marshall said.

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EU approves Cyprus rescue deal

A preliminary agreement has been reached paving the way for Cyprus to receive a $A12.49b bailout. Source: AAP

A DEADLINE-DAY deal to resurrect a 10 billion euro ($A12.49 billion) bailout for Cyprus in exchange for a massive wipe-out across the island's two biggest banking chains won approval early on Monday from eurozone finance ministers, EU sources said.

Final backing was received at around 1200 AEDT, 12 hours into marathon talks for President Nicos Anastasiades with EU, ECB, IMF and eurozone leaders, with the Cypriot leader saying he was "content."

Earlier, Anastasiades had indicated a breakthrough after hours of gruelling talks on Sunday evening, as a deadline for the withdrawal of European Central Bank financing loomed.

"Efforts have culminated," he posted on Twitter.

Soon after, EU sources announced that eurozone finance ministers had given the deal their approval.

The agreement involves breaking up the island's second largest lender Laiki (Popular Bank).

And the Bank of Cyprus, the island's No.1, will take a major "haircut" - a forced wipeout of investment value, on all deposits of more than 100,000 euros ($A124,898).

The Bank of Cyprus, with one third of all holdings, survives, but at a massive price for investors - and the bank holds most of the island's offshore Russian deposits.

But the new agreement backs off from last week's collapsed deal to hit all savers in all banks on the island.

Smaller account-holders will be covered by the EU's deposit guarantee legislation, which runs to the 100,000-euro threshold: it is those above that level who face big losses overnight.

As the crisis unfolded last week, Russian leaders refused to cough up fresh aid or extend a 2014 repayment date on an existing 2.5 billion euros ($A3.12 billion) loan to Cyprus.

Both banks stayed closed and by the end of the week had cut cash machine withdrawal limits to as low as 100 euros ($A125) per day.

The negotiations were aimed at pulling together some seven billion euros, mainly from the Cypriot banking sector, to unlock a 10 billion-euro loans package first agreed nine days ago.

A major sticking-point throughout the talks was the ECB's demand for the Bank of Cyprus to pay a nine billion-euro Laiki bill due to Frankfurt, which appeared to have been accepted.

"We will do our utmost for Cyprus," the president had said via Twitter going into Sunday evening's talks.

Anastasiades met first with ECB head Mario Draghi, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, EU president Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso, Euro group chair Jeroen Dijsselbloem and the economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn.

Sources at the presidential palace in Nicosia told state media that at one point the Cypriot leader's frustration boiled over during the talks.

"Do you want to force me to resign?" the Cyprus News Agency quoted Anastasiades as telling the bailout bosses.

The crunch talks in the snow-covered Belgian capital were called after the ECB threatened to halt life support funding for Cyprus on Monday if there was no deal.

The banks in Cyprus are due to reopen on Tuesday after a 10-day shutdown.

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New CSG pipeline approved in Qld

A BILLION dollar gas pipeline has been approved by the Queensland government.

Environment Minister Andrew Powell gave the go-ahead to Arrow Energy's Bowen Pipeline Project on Monday.

The 580-kilometre buried pipeline would deliver coal seam gas from the Bowen Basin to a proposed LNG plant at Gladstone.

Mr Powell said it would involve a capital investment of approximately $1 billion and generate around 700 new jobs.

The pipeline now requires federal government approval.

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No comment on Shearer's problems: Clark

FORMER New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has again refused to comment on embattled NZ opposition leader David Shearer.

The Labour Party leader has been under fire for failing to include his New York bank account on the NZ parliament's pecuniary interest register up until recently.

Ms Clark, former Labour PM, was asked if Mr Shearer had made a grave error ahead of her business leaders forum address in Brisbane on Monday.

She refused to comment, saying, "I've never commented on New Zealand politics since I left because once you leave, you leave."

Mr Shearer said the US bank account was used for his salary from the UN, where he worked prior to becoming an MP.

Ms Clark now works for the UN as its Development Program administrator.

A blog called UNDPwatch says she's receiving a housing subsidy of $US240,000 plus a salary ranging from $US415,000 to $US508,411.

When asked if she was being rewarded too generously for her job advocating for the world's poor, Ms Clark said "no".

"I think I earn my salary," she said.

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Holiday in tornado-hit towns: Napthine

VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine is encouraging people to take their Easter holidays in towns where a tornado cut a devastating path.

More than 20 homes and 100 caravans were destroyed when the freak storm smashed through towns on the Victoria-NSW border on Thursday night.

The tornado packed winds of between 250 and 300 km/h, sending roofs, caravans, vehicles and trees flying, injuring 20 people.

Dr Napthine toured the affected towns of Koonoomooo, Yarrawonga and Bundalong on Sunday.

"The devastation in the area affected has just been horrific," he told reporters at Koonoomoo.

The premier said the best way for other Victorians to help was to holiday in the tourist-dependent region.

"Come up here over Easter. It'll be open for business," he said.

"Show your support for the local community. Spend a few dollars in the town and help rebuild the local economy of this devastated community."

Dr Napthine said emergency accommodation had been provided to all those whose homes had been left uninhabitable.

The federal government has made available disaster assistance payments for those affected by the tornado.

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Four boot camps for young offenders in Qld

FOUR boot camps designed to put young offenders on the straight and narrow will be running in Queensland within six months.

Premier Campbell Newman announced on Sunday that boot camps for convicted youths will open in Townsville and Rockhampton by September, along with two other camps.

Youths will spend four weeks at the camps cooking, cleaning, doing physical activities and studying while under constant surveillance.

Mr Newman says they will be given an opportunity to turn their lives around under the guidance of mentors and their families.

"This program is designed to teach these young people about discipline, rehabilitation and respect for themselves and those around them," he said in a statement.

"We promised a fresh approach to youth justice and these boot camps are a key part of that reform.

One camp is already up and running on the Gold Coast and another camp will be opened in Kuranda, near Cairns, in April.

The four boot camps will be trialled for two years.

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Papers link top China university to army

RESEARCHERS at one of China's top universities collaborated with a Chinese army unit accused of carrying out hacking attacks on the United States, academic papers published online show.

The elite Shanghai Jiaotong University conducted network security research with People's Liberation Army (PLA) Unit 61398, the co-authored papers accessed by AFP Sunday reveal.

A US security company said last month that the army unit, also based in China's commercial hub Shanghai, was behind serial hacking attacks on US firms, sparking a war of words between the two powers.

Last week US President Barack Obama raised cybersecurity with China's new President Xi Jinping. China has denied that it engages in hacking and claims its military is a victim of cyberattacks mostly originating in the US.

Several researchers at Shanghai Jiaotong's School of Information Security Engineering (SISE) published research with members of Unit 61938, with projects dating back to 2007, the papers easily accessed online show.

Subjects of the joint research include the design of an "intrusion monitoring system" for computer networks and ways to evaluate "attack graphs", which show how an adversary can break into a computer system.

None of the papers described plans to carry out cyberattacks on foreign targets.

The university was not immediately available for comment on Sunday.

Xue Zhi, a co-author of one of the papers and SISE's vice-president, is the developer of China's leading "cyber-penetration attack platform", according to the university's website.

Shanghai Jiaotong University is one of China's flagship educational institutions, and has attracted members of China's business and political elite, with former President Jiang Zemin amongst its alumni.

The US Department of Defence has approved a fivefold expansion of its cybersecurity force to include 4,900 troops and civilians over the coming years in response to growing online threats, The Washington Post reported in January.

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