CHINA on Friday urged the U.S. side to stop using the issue of so-called “cybertheft” to smear China and harm its rights and interests.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang made the comments when asked about a recent U.S. cybersecurity company report alleging that China had increased efforts to steal online U.S. business secrets in the past six months. According to the report, China has become the most significant country to support cyber-attacks against the West.

Lu said it is “purely out of ulterior motive that some companies and individuals in the United States use so-called cybertheft to blame China for no reason.”

“China is one of the main victims of cybertheft and attacks, and a staunch defender of cybersecurity. China has always firmly opposed and fought against any form of cybertheft,” Lu said.

“According to documents revealed by U.S. National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden and others, the international community has long been aware which country has carried out long-term surveillance of foreign governments, enterprises and individuals, and who is the world’s largest cyber- attacker,” he said. (Xinhua)