The Chinese government has expressed firm rejection of what it has called a "political manipulation" by the United Kingdom under the pretext of cybersecurity, after London announced sanctions against Chinese companies for alleged cyberattacks, Argentina's Noticias Argentinas agency has learned.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun explained at a press conference that China has filed formal protests in Beijing and London following British accusations linking Chinese companies to cyberattacks against the UK and its allies.
Guo stated that China opposes cyber piracy and combats such activities "in accordance with the law," while rejecting "the spread of disinformation for political purposes."
China accuses the UK of serving as a "springboard" for US cyberattacks.
The spokesperson affirmed that China is "the biggest victim of cyberattacks" and recalled that months ago, the country exposed a case in which the US National Security Agency (NSA) had carried out attacks and infiltrations against the National Time Service Center of China.
He also pointed out that both the UK and the US are members of the "Five Eyes" and NATO, and expressed his hope that London would clarify its role in the cyberattacks attributed to Washington against China's information infrastructure.
The spokesperson emphasized that the world faces "common challenges in cybersecurity" and urged the UK to correct its mistakes, abandon double standards, and stop politicizing the issue. He demanded that both countries work responsibly and constructively to preserve peace and stability in cyberspace.
