China disagrees with US sanctions program on overseas cyber attackers

BEIJING - China voiced disapproval of imposing sanctions on individuals or entities of foreign countries by passing national laws on Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks while responding to a question regarding a new sanctions program that US President Barack Obama ordered on Wednesday, which could block assets of US and foreign hackers and of companies that seek to profit from cyber attacks.

"Cyber security concerns the common interests of all countries. The international community should jointly solve the issue of cyber attacks through dialogue and cooperation, and based on mutual respect and trust," Hua told a regular press briefing.

She reiterated China is firmly opposed and committed to fighting against cyber attacks in any form.

In the executive order, Obama said increasing malicious cyber-attacks on US targets from the outside poses an "unusual and extraordinary" threat to national security, foreign policy and economy of the country.

He declared "a national emergency" to address the threat.

Under the presidential order, the sanctions include freezing all assets of targeted individuals or entities and deny their entry into the United States.