In the Chinese view, the United States has designed its own system of rules about what constitutes 'legal' spying and what is illegal.

In this quote, David E. Sanger reflects on the perspective held by China regarding the United States' approach to spying and intelligence operations. Sanger suggests that, from the Chinese point of view, the United States has created its own set of rules for determining what is considered legal and illegal when it comes to spying. Essentially, the U.S. defines its intelligence activities and espionage practices in a way that suits its national interests, while placing limits on what other countries, including China, can do in the same domain.

Sanger’s statement highlights the double standard often perceived in international relations, where powerful nations, like the U.S., impose their own rules on espionage while holding other countries to different standards. The idea that the U.S. has a self-defined system for legal spying indicates that it may justify certain intelligence activities that other nations might view as illegal or unethical. This discrepancy in definitions is part of the larger geopolitical competition and tension over intelligence gathering and surveillance.

The quote also touches on the broader issue of international norms and the lack of a universally accepted framework for espionage. Different countries, including the U.S. and China, often engage in covert activities that may not be considered illegal within their own borders but are perceived as such by other nations. This lack of clear, universally agreed-upon rules for intelligence operations contributes to the ongoing diplomatic tensions and cybersecurity conflicts between global powers.

Ultimately, Sanger’s quote underscores the complexities of global intelligence and the often conflicting views on what constitutes acceptable espionage. It reflects the challenges of defining international norms in a world where powerful nations act in their own self-interest and create legal frameworks that may not be universally acknowledged or respected.