Well, actually, its been going on since 1958. The short version of the PRC's most recent efforts to wipe out the plateau pika in Tibet can be found at the Taipei Times, while a longer version is on the Guardian's webpage.
For those interested, Answers.com has a one paragraph explanation of the plateau pika's ecological role (scroll down one screen). For greater depth, one could read this article from in the English version of China Daily.com, but readers are cautioned to use this link at their own risk.
(I've removed the direct link to the China Daily.com story, and replaced it with a Google search link instead. See update for the reason.)
(Pikachu image from a French medical website)
UPDATE: Yeesh. "Use at your own risk" ain't the half of it. From today's Guardian:
A mystery electronic spy network apparently based in China has infiltrated hundreds of computers around the world and stolen files and documents, Canadian researchers have revealed.
The network, dubbed GhostNet, appears to target embassies, media groups, NGOs, international organisations, government foreign ministries and the offices of the Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan exile movement.
[…]
GhostNet can invade a computer over the internet and penetrate and steal secret files. It can also turn on the cameras and microphones of an infected computer, effectively creating a bug that can monitor what is going inside the room where the computer is. Anyone could be watched and listened to.
UPDATE (Apr 1/09): From yesterday's Taipei Times:
Although the reports [on China's hacking] paid special attention to Chinese spying on Tibetans, in
the process the authors determined that of 986 known infected IP hosts in 93
countries, Taiwan had the most — 148 — including its embassy in Swaziland, the
Institute for Information Industry, Net Trade, the Taiwan External Trade
Development Council and the Government Service Network.
And that's no April Fool's joke.
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