Zhang Zhaozhong, director of the Military and Equipment Teaching and Research Center of the National Defense University, said the government is hoping to recruit computer hackers as part of its information warfare operations.

Zhang noted that former U.S. President Bill Clinton invited hackers to the White House for a discussion of network security. China could also follow this example to mine the skills of hackers, Zhang said.

He said that recruiting hackers would enhance information security levels.

The comments appeared in the Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po. The newspaper reported Feb. 10 that a well-known Chinese hacker organization, the Honker Union, had disbanded. The group claimed thousands of members, including network security professionals.

The group claimed to have successfully attacked the White House Internet site, and it was part of a joint Chinese effort to conduct attacks on U.S. websites following the April 2001 mid-air collision of a Chinese F-8 jet and U.S. EP-3 surveillance aircraft.

Other hacker groups that reportedly took part in the attacks were the Hacker Union for China and China Eagles.