China opposes US cybersecurity strategy's accusations against Beijing

BEIJING - China on Thursday opposed a new Pentagon cybersecurity strategy, saying it makes groundless accusations against Beijing and will increase the online arms race.

"We are following the new US cybersecurity strategy and concerned about it...The report makes groundless accusations about China, and we resolutely oppose it," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a monthly press briefing on Thursday.

The 33-page cybersecurity strategy, the second released by the Pentagon following a first strategy in 2011, says the Defense Department "should be able to use cyber operations to disrupt an adversary's command and control networks, military-related critical infrastructure and weapons capabilities."

The strategy lists China, Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as potential targets. It also includes a section on US concerns about Chinese cyberespionage against US companies and agencies.

"With its great edge in cyber technology and the strongest and largest cyberforce in the world, the U.S. declaration of offensive cyber strategy will not help manage or settle differences in cyberspace, but will strain conflicts and increase the arms race," Geng said.

China has been the victim of cyber attacks and has opposed hacking in any form, Geng said, urging the United States to abandon its double standards and stop disparaging other countries.

Stressing that China proposes a peaceful, safe, open and cooperative cyberspace, Geng said China opposes cyberwarfare and an online arms race. "We oppose turning cyberspace into a new battlefield," said Geng.

The United States should do more to promote common security in cyberspace rather than seek its own security using its military strength, Geng said.