6-2-2024 (MANILA) In response to reports from Philippine officials alleging cyber attacks on government websites and emails by Chinese hackers, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has firmly denied the accusations. The embassy’s spokesperson stated that China opposes and takes action against all forms of cyber attacks in accordance with the law. The spokesperson further criticized the “malicious speculation and groundless accusations” made by Philippine officials, calling them unacceptable and irresponsible.
The Chinese Embassy’s website published a statement on Monday evening (February 5) in response to questions from reporters. The spokesperson emphasized that the Chinese government has consistently opposed and cracked down on cyber attacks, making it clear that no country or individual is permitted to engage in such illegal activities within China or exploit China’s infrastructure for cyber attacks.
The spokesperson highlighted that certain Philippine officials and media outlets have made baseless accusations against China without providing any factual evidence. Furthermore, they have even attempted to link the cyber attacks to ongoing maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy strongly condemned these actions as irresponsible.
Acknowledging that cyber security is a global challenge, the spokesperson emphasized the need for cooperation among all nations to safeguard against cyber threats. China advocates for dialogue and collaboration between countries to ensure cyber security.
According to Reuters, the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology reported on Monday that hackers had targeted the Philippine government website, the personal website of Philippine President Marcos Jr., and the website of the Philippine National Coast Surveillance Center. However, the attempts to infiltrate these sites were unsuccessful. The IP address used by the hackers was traced back to China, specifically using the services of China Unicom, a state-owned enterprise.
The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology clarified that it could not definitively attribute the hacking incidents to the Chinese government. The Philippines is currently seeking assistance from the Chinese government to prevent further attacks while refraining from assigning blame to any specific country.
