China counters German hackers and spying reports

BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) China rejected today a German magazine report that computer hackers believed to be linked to the Chinese army had infected German government ministries with spying programmes.

The Der Spiegel magazine, in a report ahead of a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to China, said that top German government ministries, including Merkel's office, had been infected by the attack.

''The Chinese government consistently opposes and strictly prohibits all criminal activities that damage computer network performance, including ''hackers'' behaviour,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site (www.fmprc.gov.cn).

''China's relevant regulations and laws make clear stipulations on this,'' the statement said.

Jiang said China itself was frequently victim to hacker attacks.

''China hopes to strengthen cooperation with the German side on this problem.'' Merkel is to meet President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday, where she is expected to press China for help in ending human rights violations in Sudan's Darfur region.

She has also said she would address human rights issues as well as protection of intellectual property rights during her three-day trip.

REUTERS KK PM1730