A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense has slammed recent U.S. accusations labeling China as a cyber threat, calling them “irresponsible” and “hypocritical.”
On Wednesday, Zhang Xiaogang responded to the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He accused the United States of deflecting blame for its own actions by pointing fingers at others.
“The United States often accuses others of actions it itself has taken or is currently engaged in,” Zhang said. “It is not only the main source of cyberattacks against China but also a well-known global cyber threat.”
Zhang cited incidents such as WikiLeaks, Edward Snowden’s revelations, and operations like “Stellar Wind” to highlight U.S. activities in cyberspace.
“Smearing China cannot help remove the U.S. label as the empire of hacking,” he added, urging the U.S. to “stop acting like a thief crying ‘stop thief.'” He called on the United States to cease launching cyberattacks against other countries, including China, and to help restore a “clean and secure cyberspace” through responsible actions.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between China and the U.S. over cybersecurity issues, with both sides accusing each other of cyber espionage and hacking activities.
