By hannover-web.com During a routine press conference on October 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed several pressing questions from journalists.
One reporter brought up a recent public report published by the China National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, the National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technologies, and 360 Company. This report discusses the U.S.’s focus on a group referred to as “Volta Typhoon,” suggesting that it is using this narrative to deflect from its own cyber attacks. The spokesperson was asked for China’s perspective on these claims.
Mao responded, stating, “I have also taken note of this report. Chinese authorities have already released two reports indicating that ‘Volta Typhoon’ is, in fact, an international ransomware organization. U.S. intelligence and cybersecurity firms are allegedly collaborating to spread disinformation and frame China in order to secure funding and government contracts. This latest report further reveals some shocking facts.”
He outlined several key points:
First, he mentioned that the U.S. is utilizing advanced technologies to forge cyber attacks attributed to other countries. By inserting Chinese characters and other languages into malicious code, they intentionally mislead origin tracing and falsely accuse other nations. Notably, he pointed out that Guam, labeled as a victim of this “Volta Typhoon” attack, is actually a hub for cyber attacks targeting China and Southeast Asia.
Second, Mao highlighted that the U.S. is exploiting its advantageous position with undersea cables to conduct extensive and systematic global cyber surveillance and espionage. Ironically, during the recent UN General Assembly, the U.S. rallied some allies to issue a joint statement claiming to advocate for the security and reliability of undersea cables.
Third, he noted that the U.S. has not ceased its cyber espionage activities against allies, including Germany. In 2022, a new transatlantic data transfer framework was established between the U.S. and Europe, promising greater oversight on cyber espionage in Europe. However, Mao stated that this was merely a façade to extract European agreement for data flowing to the U.S. He criticized the U.S. for using the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to mandate the collection of user data from major American tech firms, resulting in indiscriminate surveillance and data theft from global Internet users, including those in Germany.
Lastly, he commented on how some large American tech companies have become complicit with the government. While the U.S. denounces other nations as preparing for cyber attacks, it also collaborates with big tech to embed backdoors in networking products, launching assaults on global supply chains. Some tech firms, seeking greater profits, actively spread the false narrative of “Chinese hacker attacks.”
Mao concluded by reaffirming that the findings in the report underscore who the real global threat to cybersecurity is. He criticized the U.S. government for its silence on the report while continuing to propagate false narratives like that of “Volta Typhoon.” He condemned the U.S.’s irresponsible behavior and urged it to halt its global cyber attacks and stop maligning China under the guise of cybersecurity concerns.
