'China threat' rhetoric a US fabrication

China has criticized US efforts to stop some countries using Chinese made equipment, saying the moves are unfair and unethical.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly cautioned allies on Monday against deploying equipment from Chinese telecoms giant Huawei on their soil, saying it would make it more difficult for Washington to “partner alongside them.”

“For a period of time, the US side has worked tirelessly to fabricate various unwarranted reasons and ‘China threat’ rhetoric,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

“It has even flagrantly threatened and driven a wedge between China and other countries, as well as slandered and suppressed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises in pursuing development and cooperation.”

The Chinese side hopes all parties abandon ideological bias as well as Cold War and zero-sum mentality, to create a fair, inclusive, transparent and standardized environment for mutually beneficial cooperation, said Hua.

She said China believes most countries are clear about the true intention and bullying substance of the United States.

Hua also appreciated the “independent, fair and objective” comments by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who reportedly brushed off US concerns.

Hua said friendliness and cooperation will always remain the central theme of the development of China-Hungary ties.

Hua also expressed the belief that China-Hungary ties will not be damaged or interrupted by other countries.

Meanwhile, China urged relevant countries to stop using the excuse of so-called cyber spying and Internet hacking to tarnish its image, and to stop actions and words that harm China’s interests and bilateral ties.

There have been allegations that hackers working for China’s state security department breached the network of a Norwegian software firm, as part of a global operation aimed at stealing intellectual property and corporate secrets.

“This is nothing but one of those series of actions by a few countries to tarnish China’s image,” said Hua.

China always believes that cyber security is a global issue related to the common interests of all countries and must be safeguarded by the joint efforts of the international community, she said.

“Those who really care about cyber security issues should never forget the ‘PRISM Program,’ the ‘Equation Group’ and the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack, which was caused by a certain country’s development of offensive cyber tools,” Hua said.

She added that these events have sounded an alarm for global cyber security. She stressed that cyber space is highly virtual, difficult to trace and made up of a diverse community.

“You must investigate and have sufficient evidence to define the nature of a cyber security event,” she said.

“One cannot smear others with groundless guesses.”

China is a firm supporter of cyber security and resolutely opposes and fights against cyber attacks of any form, Hua said.

She added that China advocates that the international community should jointly handle cyber security threats through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

“Irresponsible accusations, pressure and sanctions will only increase the tension and confrontation in the cyber space, and poison the atmosphere of cooperation,” Hua said.