China denies accusations of hacking Pacific Islands Forum: Video
China has strongly denied allegations of involvement in a cyberattack targeting the Pacific Islands Forum, following reports of a hack ahead of the bloc's annual summit in August.
Spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, dismissed the claims as politically motivated and aimed at disrupting regional relations, the AFP reports.
"We have taken note of the report, but the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has not linked the hack to China," Mao said in a statement.
She added that such accusations are part of repeated efforts to "sow discord" between China and countries in the region. Mao emphasised that the South Pacific is not "any country's backyard" and urged all parties to respect the right of South Pacific nations to form balanced relationships with global powers.
The Pacific Islands Forum, consisting of 18 member nations, has become a focal point of geopolitical competition between China and the United States.
The recent summit, held in Tonga, was dominated by the growing rivalry between the two countries, as both vie for influence in the region.
