China Defends Against U.S. Cyber Accusations, Calls Hacking Claims Baseless: Defense Spokesperson

A Chinese defense official sharply condemned the United States on Wednesday for a recent comment made in an annual threat report, accusing the United States of "irresponsible" accusations towards China.

The official stressed that blaming China in this way with such accusations would not serve to erase the U.S.'s own reputation as the "empire of hacking."

Zhang Xiaogang, who is a ministry spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, offered these remarks during a response to a query about the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Zhang indicated that the U.S. tends to blame others for actions it has also been engaged in, especially in the case of cyberattacks. He also indicated that the U.S. not only serves as a major source of cyberattacks against China but is also viewed as a significant global cyber threat.

Speaking about the history of the U.S.'s record on cybersecurity challenges, Zhang referenced cases like WikiLeaks, Edward Snowden's revelations, and other programs such as Stellar Wind and Telescreen as examples of the nation's lackluster record in this respect.

He continued that the U.S. has been long spying, stealing sensitive data, and attacking others, including China.

"Attacking China will not help wipe off the U.S.'s brand as the empire of hacking," Zhang said, calling on the U.S. to end their cyberattacks against other countries. He asked the U.S. to rebuild a secure and orderly digital world by doing what they say and refrain from acting as if they were the victim of this cyberwar.