China dismisses claims about malware email targeting trade talks with U.S.
發佈日期: 2025-09-08 21:20
TVB News
U.S. authorities are reportedly probing malware-laden emails made to look like they were from a Republican lawmaker targeting the contentious trade talks with China.
The Chinese embassy, which dismissed the alleged attack, said Beijing firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime.
According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, hackers suspected to be associated with Chinese intelligence have crafted messages impersonating U.S. congressman John Moolenaar.
The Journal said the emails were distributed to influential players, including U.S. trade groups, law firms and government agencies.
The first bogus email was sent just before China-U.S. trade talks in Stockholm, Sweden, at the end of July.
The move was aimed at giving Beijing insights into recommendations to Washington's planned sanctions, sources say, and the email asked recipients to review proposed legislation with a line: "Your insights are essential."
Once the embedded draft legislation is opened, it may immediately install malware into the device that could have provided backdoor entry to users' data.
Some recipients grew fishy because they found the attachment was not sent from a government email address.
U.S. authorities, such as the Capitol Police and the FBI, have moved to identify and pursue those responsible, while cyber analysts traced it to a hacker group called "APT41."
Meanwhile, Moolenaar noted they will "not be intimidated" by the attack, which the lawmaker describes as another example of Chinese cyber operations aimed at stealing U.S. strategy.
The Michigan Republican critical of Beijing was appointed head of the House select committee on strategic competition with China earlier this year.
The Chinese embassy in Washington responded in an emailed statement that it was not familiar with the specifics of the reported attack.
It clearly stated China's opposition to all forms of cyber attacks and unfounded smears, adding that all countries face cyberattacks that are difficult to trace.
