Prove hacking: experts

No solid evidence so far has supported the United States' claim that a recent cyber attack originated from the Chinese government, and such unproven allegations will harm bilateral relations, according to Chinese experts.

According to media reports, Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, on Sunday claimed that the Chinese government was likely to have been behind the recent breach of US government computers.

"I believe in my judgment that all threat indicators point to the fact that it is China," McCaul said on CBS program "Face the Nation".

Shen Dingli, professor and associate dean at the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, said making such unsubstantiated allegations against the Chinese government would only "bring troubles to the US itself instead of China", especially when the claim has not been supported by evidence.

"Investigations with international credibility into this case (are) the best solution to it," Shen said.

The US Office of Peronnel Management said on its website that it found out in April about the cybersecurity incident in December, which affected 4 million individuals. Anonymous US intelligence officials told the Washington Post and CNN that they link the hackers to the Chinese government, but they didn't provide any investigation details or evidence.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on June 5 that the allegation is groundless and irresponsible.

Fan Jishe, a US studies researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the accusation will have a negative impact on bilateral relations.

"Since 2011, the US government has been playing a cyber attack accusation game in this way, publishing their blame on China in the media to create domestic pressure," Fan said. "The unbalanced reports frame China in a negative light, neglecting the fact that China, as a victim, suffers from hackers' attacks just like the US."

"That approach plays no constructive role in China-US relations," Fan said.

Shi Yinhong, an expert on international relations at Renmin University of China, said huge differences exist between the statements whether the claimed cyber attacks had originated from China or from the Chinese government.

"Before any substantial evidence is presented, the US government's claim that the Chinese government is likely to have been behind this cyber attack has stained the international image of China and caused a negative international environment of public opinion for China," Shi said.

Chen Mengwei in Beijing contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at xiaolixin@chinadaily.com.cn and huangying@chinadaily.com.cn.