Authorities Fear China Hacked U.S. Official's Laptop

WASHINGTON — American authorities are investigating whether Chinese officials secretly copied the contents of a government laptop during a visit to China by the Commerce Secretary, Carlos M. Gutierrez, and used the information to try to hack into the department's computers. Officials and industry experts have told The Associated Press the investigation involves a trip in December.

People familiar with the incident have told the AP that surreptitious copying is believed to have occurred when a laptop was left unattended during Mr. Gutierrez's trip to Beijing for trade talks. These people spoke on condition of anonymity because the incident is under investigation.

Mr. Gutierrez told the AP today he could not discuss the matter because of the investigation.