The recent accusations by the United States that China orchestrated a hacking campaign targeting US telecommunications networks were not just baseless — they were a calculated and hypocritical maneuver designed to distract from the US’ longstanding cyber misconduct. These unfounded claims, devoid of substantive evidence, revealed a despicable attempt to vilify China in the face of its rising global influence and technological advancements, and were part of Washington’s geopolitical strategy. It is imperative to dismantle these allegations point by point, exposing the hypocrisy and ulterior motives underpinning Washington’s narrative.
To begin with, the allegations themselves lack any credible evidence. The US government has repeatedly resorted to vague, unverified claims, relying on anonymous “sources” and ambiguous phrases such as “believed to be” and “potentially compromised”. Such language is speculative and deliberately manipulative, aimed at fostering suspicion without presenting concrete proof. Where is the forensic evidence? Where are the independent investigations? None exists. The accusations are political theater designed to tarnish China’s reputation rather than present a factual case. Notably, the US — a nation notorious for its global surveillance programs — has no moral authority to lecture others on cybersecurity. The National Security Agency’s PRISM program, exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, revealed systematic spying on adversaries and close allies. This raises a critical question: How can the US, with its documented history of cyber misconduct, expect to be taken seriously when pointing fingers at others?
Furthermore, the timing of these accusations is far from coincidental. They emerge against the backdrop of escalating US efforts to stifle China’s technological progress through sanctions, particularly in the semiconductor sector. By fabricating a narrative of cyber aggression, Washington seeks to justify its hostile policies while rallying international support to contain China’s rise. This is not the first time the US has employed such tactics. The baseless claims of “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq serve as a grim reminder of how the US manipulated narratives to serve its geopolitical interests. The pattern is clear: Whenever the US feels that its interests are threatened by another nation, it resorts to slander and coercion under the guise of “national security”.
From a technical standpoint, the US’ accusations against China are riddled with inconsistencies and deliberate oversimplifications. Cybersecurity experts universally acknowledge the difficulty of attributing cyberattacks to specific state actors. The methods used in such operations — from false flags to third-party proxies — make definitive attribution impossible without irrefutable evidence. Yet, the US rushed to blame China, offering no detailed technical analysis or independent verification. This reckless approach undermined the credibility of its claims and exposed the political motivations driving them. If the US had compelling evidence, why has it failed to present it transparently? The absence of proof speaks volumes about the hollow and slanderous nature of these accusations.
If Washington truly wishes to address cybersecurity challenges, it must abandon its confrontational rhetoric and engage in constructive dialogue with China. Anything less would be a disservice to the global community and a betrayal of the principles of fairness and cooperation
Moreover, the hypocrisy of the US is staggering. While accusing China of cyber aggression, Washington conveniently ignored its extensive cyber operations, which are well-documented and far-reaching. The Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the infiltration of global telecommunications networks, and the mass surveillance of millions of individuals worldwide are just a few examples of America’s cyber misconduct. These actions highlighted glaring double standards: The US reserves the right to conduct cyber operations on an unprecedented scale while demonizing others with unsubstantiated claims. This duplicitous behavior is not just unjust, it’s a slap in the face of global fairness and has undermined Washington’s credibility on the global stage.
China, on the other hand, has consistently advocated for international cooperation on cybersecurity. Beijing has called for establishing global norms and mutual trust in cyberspace, emphasizing dialogue and collaboration over confrontation. In stark contrast, the US has resisted such efforts, opting for unilateral actions and divisive alliances like the Five Eyes, AUKUS (Australia, UK, US Security Pact) and the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, involving the US, Japan, India and Australia). These alliances, particularly AUKUS, have been seen as a response to China’s growing influence and technological advancements. By stoking tensions and perpetuating baseless allegations, Washington has actively undermined the potential for global cooperation on cybersecurity issues, prioritizing its hegemonic ambitions over the collective good.
The economic ramifications of Washington’s antagonistic behavior cannot be ignored. By targeting China with baseless accusations and sanctions, the US risks jeopardizing critical supply chains essential to its technological and industrial sectors. China’s dominance in producing rare earth elements — accounting for over 70 percent of global output — underscores its indispensable role in manufacturing semiconductors, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. In 2022 alone, the US imported 78 percent of its rare earth minerals from China. Any escalation in tensions could prompt Beijing to impose stricter restrictions on these exports, with potentially catastrophic consequences for American industries. The US, which lacks sufficient domestic reserves of rare earth elements, cannot antagonize the nation that sustains its technological infrastructure.
It is also crucial to highlight the broader implications of the US’ reckless approach to cybersecurity. By weaponizing unfounded accusations against China, Washington is damaging bilateral relations and undermining global efforts to address shared challenges such as cybercrime, data security, and the responsible development of emerging technologies. Instead of fostering an environment of trust and collaboration, the US perpetuates a climate of mistrust and hostility to the detriment of all nations. This myopic strategy, driven by an irrational fear of China’s rise, ultimately harms the very international order that Washington claims to uphold.
The US’ accusations against China are nothing more than a smear campaign rooted in geopolitical desperation. By framing China as a cyber aggressor, Washington seeks to deflect attention from its own actions while justifying its aggressive policies. If Washington truly wishes to address cybersecurity challenges, it must abandon its confrontational rhetoric and engage in constructive dialogue with China. Anything less would be a disservice to the global community and a betrayal of the principles of fairness and cooperation.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
