China Dismisses U.S. Cyberattack Accusations, Reiterates Commitment to Combating Hacking
Kwao Peppeh | | Aug 14, 2015 08:56 AM EDT |
(Photo : REUTERS/Paul J. Richards/Pool) China has dismissed accusations that the country is behind a series of cyber attacks against the U.S. Earlier in the week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he suspected Chinese or Russian hackers had infiltrated his email.
The Chinese government has reiterated its stand on strengthening cyber-security and its commitment to combating all forms of cyber attacks. The comments were made in response to recent accusations from American officials that China is sponsoring hackers to attack U.S. state-owned and private organizations.
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"The Chinese side has clarified its position on the cyber security issue on various occasions. The Chinese government staunchly upholds cyber security, firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks in accordance with law," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement released on Friday.
On Monday, the U.S. media revealed that Chinese hackers have had access to the private emails of several top U.S. officials. The breach, which reportedly targeted all high-ranking officials of the U.S. national security and trade departments, had been ongoing since April 2010. Several members of the President Barrack Obama's administration were reportedly targeted in the hacking.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said it's highly possible that either Chinese or Russian hackers could be reading his emails. Kerry, who was speaking on CBS Evening News, said he wrote his messages with the awareness that his email account is probably hacked.
Recently, the Obama administration also accused China of being responsible for the theft of millions of data from the Office of Personnel Management.
Hua reiterated China's stand on the issue of cyber threats as they relate to national security. She also dismissed the U.S. accusations adding that China has long been a victim of cyber-attacks from abroad.
"China has long suffered from massive cyber attacks from abroad and severe threats to national security and interests," she said. "Cyber security is a complicated global issue given the fact that cyber attacks are conducted anonymously across borders."
Hua stressed that rather than throwing accusations, the U.S., China and other nations should cooperate to combat the increasingly disturbing issue.
"The Chinese side calls for all parties to seek a common solution through enhanced dialogue and cooperation. Groundless speculation, hyping up or accusation is not helpful to solve the problem or conducive to any party's interests," she said.
Kerry agrees with Hua Chunying that countries should cooperate in creating a code of conduct that will govern cyber activities and enforce punishments for those who violate international cyber laws.
"We hope the U.S. side can stop irresponsible attacks and accusations against China following a constructive spirit, create necessary condition for bilateral cooperation in cyber security based on mutual respect and trust, and work together with the international community to build a cyber space that is peaceful, safe, open and cooperative," Hua added.
The issue of cyber security would reportedly be part of the issues discussed between President Obama and President Xi Jingping when the Chinese leader visits the U.S. in September.
TagsChina Cyberattacks on US, China Cyberattacks 2015, China Hackers US, China Cyberattacks on U.S. Government
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