In a recent report, the US Department of Defense (DOD) warned that the Chinese military had the skills to mount a cyber attack on government infrastructure.
However, during a recent press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the country only uses cyber security for defence purposes.
"China resolutely opposes any hacking attack and would like to hold candid and constructive talks with the United States on cyber security. But groundless accusations and speculation will only damage both sides' efforts to talk," said Hua.
In an 83-page report, named the Military and Security Development involving the People's Republic of China 2013, the DOD said that the Chinese Military was behind attacks on US government computer networks last year.
The report said that the Chinese government is predominantly engaged in hacks for the purpose of cyber espionage. Officials also believe that Chinese hackers have the abilities to bring Stuxnet-level attacks on US infrastructure.
China's government officials have called out the report as fear mongering and bad for US-China relations. According to spokeswomen Hua, the report falsely characterises the Chinese military's cyber warfare capabilities.
"China's necessary and moderate military buildup, which meets the country's needs, is completely aimed at safeguarding the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and part of the country's justified rights," continued spokesperson Hua.
The Chinese government's rebuttal comes in spite of numerous corroborating reports from private companies. Cyber security firm Mandiant recently reported that state-sponsored hackers in China attacked 141 private companies.
Another report from Verizon found that 96 percent of cyber attacks came from Chinese ISP addresses.
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