The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. has firmly rejected allegations connecting China to recent cyberattacks targeting Microsoft's SharePoint servers, calling the claims unfounded and politically motivated. The rebuttal comes after Microsoft identified two groups it described as 'Chinese nation-state actors' exploiting vulnerabilities in the widely used collaboration platform.
Spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated Wednesday that China 'firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyberattacks,' emphasizing the country's status as a frequent target of digital threats itself. 'Smearing others without solid evidence only undermines international cooperation in cybersecurity,' Liu added, reflecting Beijing's longstanding position on digital sovereignty issues.
Microsoft's security team revealed Tuesday that attackers had exploited a previously unknown 'zero-day' vulnerability in on-premises SharePoint servers, primarily affecting organizations using the platform for internal document management. While the company confirmed its cloud-based services remain unaffected, the incident has raised concerns among business professionals about legacy system security across Asia's rapidly digitizing economies.
Technology analysts note the disclosure highlights growing cybersecurity challenges as Asian markets accelerate digital transformation. Microsoft has released comprehensive security updates for all supported SharePoint versions, urging enterprises to implement patches immediately.
The allegations and subsequent denial occur against the backdrop of heightened global scrutiny on cyber warfare capabilities, particularly those involving major economic powers. For investors and business leaders operating in Asia, the incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in cross-border digital infrastructure.
