The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected on Friday the recent report by AFP, alleging that Chinese hackers could have conducted cyberattacks on Airbus.
"In recent years, there have been many reports about cyber attacks in the media. In these reports, without any evidence, the parties concerned always pin the label of cyber attack on China and smear China," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.
The spokesman added that China "is a firm defender of network security."
Over the past 12 months, Airbus has been targeted by four major cyberattacks, according to AFP. Commenting on the attacks, an Airbus spokesman said the company was "aware of cyber events," adding that like any high-tech giant it was a target for "malicious acts".
The spokesman then added that the company was constantly monitoring such threats and was able to take immediate and appropriate measures to protect itself.
According to the AFP report, the hackers targeted four Airbus suppliers - British engine-maker Rolls-Royce, French technology consultancy and supplier Expleo, and two other French contractors. The companies haven't commented on the situation yet.
The report, however, doesn't precise whether the hacking attack has resulted in any information being stolen or impacted Airbus in any way.
This isn't the first time that China has been accused of an attempt to steal information from an aeronautic company. Last year, the US alleged that Chinese hackers could have stolen information about a jet engine of an unnamed company.
