China against 'political disinformation' about US government email breach

BEIJING: China on Thursday (January 8) said it was against "politically motivated disinformation" in relation to reports of Chinese hackers targeting staff in the United States congressional committees in an email breach.

AI Brief

Financial Times reports a Chinese hacking group accessed emails of staff on powerful US House committees.
China rejects allegations, calling them politically motivated, while the FBI and White House decline comment.
The breach, if confirmed, adds to growing cybersecurity concerns amid strained US-China relations.

"We have always opposed and combated hacking activities in accordance with the law, and we also oppose the dissemination of false information about China for political purposes," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing when asked about the cyberattack.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday (January 7) that a Chinese hacking group has compromised emails used by staff members of powerful committees in the U.S. House of Representatives, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu condemned what he called "unfounded speculation and accusations," while the Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment. The White House and the offices of the four committees reportedly targeted in the surveillance sweep did not immediately respond to requests for comment.