In accusing China and Russia of conducting widespread and effective economic espionage against the States, the US intelligence establishment yesterday brought into the public domain what many in government, the private sector and the media have been saying for years.

The 31-page document blames the governments of the two rival powers for campaigns to steal American technology, reflecting what analysts said was frustration at being unable to stop the spying through either diplomatic talks or technological defences.– (Copyright 2011 Financial Times Limited)