China accuses US of cyberattacks, urges immediate halt

China renewed its accusations that the United States has been conducting cyberattacks against key Chinese infrastructure, warning that Washington’s actions could facilitate even larger breaches.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the allegations during a news conference, responding to a report by the Chinese National Computer Network Emergency Response. The report identified the US National Security Agency (NSA) as responsible for the attacks, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“China strongly condemns the US government carrying out cyberattacks and infiltration against China's key infrastructure and presetting vulnerabilities for future large-scale sabotage activities,” Jiakun said. He further claimed that the so-called “Volt Typhoon” previously attributed to China by the US is, in fact, a transnational ransomware group.

“The NSA case is self-evident of what a real ‘Volt Typhoon’ operation looks like, and the US is the world’s number-one hacking state,” the spokesperson added.

Jiakun warned that these actions by the US risk “misunderstanding and miscalculation” and described such behavior as “extremely irresponsible.”

China called on Washington to immediately cease cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure, emphasizing that “we will take all measures necessary to defend sovereignty and security in cyberspace.”

By Vafa Guliyeva