CHINA on Tuesday urged relevant countries to stop using the excuse of so-called cyberspying and Internet hacking to tarnish its image, and to stop actions and words that harm China’s interests and bilateral ties.

Reports alleged that hackers working for China’s State security department breached the network of a Norwegian software firm, as part of a global hacking operation aimed at stealing intellectual property and corporate secrets.

“This is nothing but one of those series of actions by a few countries to tarnish China’s image,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a daily news briefing.

China always believes that cybersecurity is a global issue related to the common Interests of all countries and must be safeguarded by the joint efforts of the international community, said Hua.

“Those who really care about cybersecurity issues should never forget the ‘PRISM Program,’ the ‘Equation Group’ and the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack, which was caused by a certain country’s development of offensive cyber tools,” Hua said, adding that these events have sounded the alarm for global cybersecurity.

She stressed that cyberspace is highly virtual, difficult to trace and made up of diverse communities. “You must investigate and have sufficient evidence to define the nature of a cybersecurity event. One can not smear others with groundless guesses.”

China is a firm supporter of cybersecurity and resolutely opposes and fights against cyberattacks of any form, Hua said, adding China advocates that the international community should jointly handle cybersecurity threats through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

“Irresponsible accusations, pressure and sanctions will only increase the tension and confrontation in the cyberspace, and poison the atmosphere of cooperation,” Hua said.

(Xinhua)