China rejects US claim of attempted vaccine theft as 'smearing and scapegoating'

China on Thursday termed as “slanderous” US accusation that hackers backed by Beijing may be attempting to steal COVID-19 related research and vaccine materials and said that "smearing and scapegoating" ors will t make dely virus go away.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also rebutted US National Security visor Robert O''Brien’s charge that five plagues came out China in last 20 years, saying US officials are shifting blame on Beijing as y struggled to handle coronavirus pandemic back home.

US claims have ded fuel to tensions between two nations, which are engd in a war of words over origin of coronavirus that has killed 300,000 people globally.

“China deplores and firmly opposes such slanderous actions," Zhao said.

He was referring to reports by FBI and US Department of Homeland Security''s cyber division that warned hackers backed by Chinese government may be attempting to steal work of researchers dealing with response to coronavirus outbreak as well vaccines.

“Judging from past records, it was US which launched such largescale espion activities," Zhao said.

He said China has more reasons to worry about cyber-attacks as country has me significant strategic achievements in fight against coronavirus and is at forefront in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research.

He said that China firmly cracked down on all forms of cyber-attacks at home.

“When COVID-19 is active in world, any action online to sabot global efforts should be condemned by all," he said, ding that spreing rumours and smearing and scapegoating ors will t make virus go away r it will end pandemic.

On O''Brien’s charge that SARS, avian flu, swine flu, COVID-19 came from China, Zhao said, “US politicians are talking nsense to smear ors”.

“O’Brien should get facts right," he said, ding that according to media reports swine flu came from US in 2009.

“Epidemics may breakout anywhere anytime. Facing pandemic US politicians should t be so immersed in blame-shifting," Zhao said.