China rejects US hacking claims, calls allegations 'false information'

China on Thursday accused the United States of "smearing" Beijing with hacking allegations, warning Washington against "distorting right and wrong."

The US Justice Department and FBI announced Tuesday they had seized internet domains used by a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as "QTFY" and its associated platforms. Authorities stated that victims of QTFY's intrusions included NASA, the Federal Reserve, the US Senate, and the departments of energy, justice, and health and human services.

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian called the allegations "false information." He told reporters at a news briefing that China expresses "strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the US side's repeated wrongful practice of smearing China under the pretext of cybersecurity concerns."

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China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the US side's repeated wrongful practice of smearing China under the pretext of cybersecurity concerns.

US federal law enforcement described the operation as a technical effort to dismantle "indiscriminate hacking activities sponsored by" China. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the action disrupted a "global botnet and hacking platform used by Chinese state-sponsored hackers to target US critical infrastructure."

However, Lin urged Washington to abandon its "double standards and political manipulation." He asserted, "The United States is globally recognised as the world's biggest hacking and surveillance empire, its track record is notorious and the evidence is irrefutable."

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The United States is globally recognised as the world's biggest hacking and surveillance empire, its track record is notorious and the evidence is irrefutable.