China on Monday denied accusations by the United States and its Western allies that Beijing was behind a hacking attack on the Microsoft Exchange email system, and complained that Chinese entities are victims of US cyberattacks , and have suffered significant damage.
A US State Department spokesman has asked Washington to bring charges against four Chinese nationalsfor allegedly collaborating with China's Ministry of State Security in an effort to steal US trade secrets, as well as information related to the technology industry and disease research.
The announcement that the Biden administration and European allies are formally blaming Chinese government hackers for ransomware attacks increased pressure on long-standing complaints against Beijing, but did not include sanctions.
Beijing spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “The US has collaborated with its allies to make unjustified accusations against Chinese cybersecurity. There are pure political motives behind this. China will never accept this.”However, Zhao made no mention of possible retaliation.
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On July 19, US authorities said government hackers were targeting Americans and other victims, demanding millions of dollars. Officials alleged that contract hackers were linked to China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), engaging in extortion schemes and theft for their own profit.
Microsoft has blamed Chinese spies for the attack on Microsoft Exchange, which compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on July 19 called it “a reckless but familiar pattern of behavior.”
On the same day, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced charges against four Chinese nationals, who it said worked with MSS to target computers at companies, universities and government agencies. The Chinese nationals are accused of targeting trade secrets, scientific technologies and infectious disease research.
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" China firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks and will not encourage, support or condone any cyberattacks," Zhao said.
Zhao also accused the US Central Intelligence Agency of carrying out cyberattacks on China's aerospace research facilities, oil industry, internet companies and government agencies over a period of 11 years. These attacks "seriously endangered" national and economic security, Zhao said.
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Finally, Zhao stressed the following: "China once again strongly demands that the US and its allies stop cyber theft and attacks against China, stop slandering China on cybersecurity issues, and withdraw the so-called persecution. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its cybersecurity and interests.
Source of information: nbcnews.com
