China rejects cyberattack allegations by US and allies

China has firmly rejected allegations made in a recent advisory from the US and 12 other countries that accused Beijing of sponsoring cyberattacks on sensitive networks and critical infrastructure around the world.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters on Friday that China has always opposed and sought to combat hacking activities in accordance with the law. He said Beijing strongly objects to disinformation campaigns aimed at smearing China.

"We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the United States dragging in a handful of countries to vilify and slander China under the pretext of cybersecurity," Guo said.

"It is well known since Edward Snowden's revelations of the PRISM program that the US is the world's largest confirmed hacker and an empire of eavesdropping. Even some of the very countries involved in this farce have themselves fallen victim to massive US surveillance," he added.

Guo accused Washington of making false accusations of so-called cyber espionage against China, describing it as a case of "a thief crying 'stop thief'".

The spokesperson stressed that cybersecurity is a common global challenge, and urged Washington to "adopt a responsible attitude, engage in self-reflection and refrain from forming cliques to spread disinformation".

He said China would continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its national security interests.