China Calls Paraguay-U.S. Cyber Espionage Claims 'Slander'

China has vehemently rejected accusations of state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting Paraguay and the United States, labeling the claims as "slander" and demanding "valid evidence."

The Chinese Consulate General in São Paulo issued a statement expressing "deep dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the joint announcement made by Paraguay's Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic) and the U.S. Embassy in Asunción. The consulate described the accusations as "extremely irresponsible" and a "clear distortion of the facts."

In its response, Beijing turned the tables on Washington, identifying the U.S. as the "main perpetrator and exponent" of global cyberattacks. The statement accused U.S. government and related agencies of violating international law through "massive, organized, and indiscriminate" cyber espionage, eavesdropping, and surveillance against numerous countries, including China.

Chinese authorities also urged the U.S. to engage in "deep self-reflection" and advised Paraguay "not to become a tool of geopolitics, politicizing the issue of cybersecurity." This counsel appears to be a direct reference to Paraguay's close security alliance with the U.S. and Taiwan, and a warning against allowing technological tensions to influence its foreign policy.