The Chinese Defense Ministry has issued a new statement, saying the Chinese side strongly opposes the U.S. Justice Department's indictments.
The Defense Ministry says China's position on cyber security is consistent and clear-cut, saying China is steadfast in upholding cyber security.
The statement also says the Chinese government, the Chinese military and their personnel have never engaged or participated in cyber theft of trade secrets.
The US Justice Department has issued indictments against five officers in the People's Liberation Army in Shanghai, accusing them of being behind the theft of industrial information in the US.
The Chinese Defense Department says the accusations are groundless.
It also contends U.S. institutions have long been involved in large-scale and organized cyber theft, as well as wiretapping and surveillance activities against foreign political leaders, companies and individuals.
The Chinese Defense Ministry is accusing the US side of adopting double standards on cyber security, suggesting the Chinese military has also been a victim of cyber theft.
Terminals allowing the Chinese military access to the internet have been the target of a number of foreign cyber attacks in recent years.
The Chinese Defense Ministry notes a considerable number of those attacks have originated from the United States.
The statement goes on to say China-U.S. military relations had been developing well recently, but that the U.S. move has seriously damaged mutual trust and breached commitments to build a healthy, steady and reliable military relationship.
On the heels of the indictment, the Chinese government has already suspended its involvement in the China-U.S. Cyber Working group, which was established last year.
For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.
