China reacts to United States indictment over coronavirus research hacking

…China calls the allegations “slander”

China has reacted to the accusation levelled against it by the United States describing it as “slander” after two Chinese citizens were accused for planning to steal coronavirus vaccine research and hacking hundreds of companies.

The spokesman for the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wenbin made this known on Wednesday.

“The Chinese government is a staunch defender of cyber security, and has always opposed and cracked down on cyber attacks and cyber crime in all forms,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

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He reiterated that the United States of America must “immediately stop its slander and smearing of China on cyber security issues,” he told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Li Xiaoyu, 34, and Dong Jiazhi, 33, who are both believed to be in China, beleaguered biotech firms but did not seem to have actually compromised any COVID-19 research, according to the statement issued by the United States Justice Department on Tuesday.

At a press conference, Assistant Attorney General John Demers said China had “now taken its place… in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cyber criminals.”

But Beijing rejected the allegations and said cyber space “should not become a new battleground”.

“Those countries that seek cyber space hegemony will only hurt themselves,” Wang said.

The two world superpowers have been hostile and undiplomatic in bilateral relations, and the indictment coming amid rising tensions already existing between each other, ranging from trade to Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.