China denies cyber attack on federal parliament

China has rejected as a ‘smear’ suggestions that its agencies have been behind the cyber attack on federal parliament last week.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

China has rejected suggestions that its agencies have been behind the cyber attack on federal parliament last week.

Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said media reports that Chinese government backed hackers may have been behind the attack were “part of a larger smear campaign against China.”

“China has always maintained that cyber security should be upheld by all members of the international community as it is a global issue that concerns the common interests of all countries,” said Ms Hua.

Her comments come after federal parliament’s presiding officers, Tony Smith and Scot Ryan, issued a joint statement last Friday that hackers had tried to break into parliament’s computer network.

They said no data had been stolen but urged MPs and staff to change their passwords and said a number of other security measures had been implemented to protect the network and its users.

They said the incident would “remain subject to ongoing investigation.”

The federal government has not made any statement about the forces behind the cyber attack which was believed to have been in its early stages when it was detected.

Some media outlets reported speculation that hackers from China may have been behind the attack.

Asked about the cyber attack, Ms Hua said recent incidents such as the WannaCry ransomware had “sounded the alarm for global cyber security.”

She said people needed to be careful about making “random accusations” about hacking attacks.

“Given the virtual nature of cyberspace and the fact that there are all kinds of online actors who are difficult to trace, I must underscore the importance to have enough evidence when investigating and identifying cyber-related incidents,” she said.

“Groundless assumptions and random accusations should not be allowed.”

She said China opposed all forms of cyber attack and cyber theft.

“China calls on the international community to deal with cybersecurity threats through dialogue and co-operation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” she said.

“Irresponsible accusations, pressure and sanctions will only escalate tensions and confrontation in cyberspace and poison the atmosphere for co-operation.

“We urge relevant countries to refrain from smearing China by hyping up so-called ‘cyber theft’ and hacker attacks and stop making remarks and moves that undermine China’s interests and their relations with China.”