DHAKA: China has denounced charges brought by the US against five army officers accused of economic cyber-espionage.

Beijing said it had "never engaged or participated" in cyber theft and that the charges would damage co-operation between the two countries.

China has summoned the US ambassador to Beijing over the incident, the state news agency Xinhua reports.

US prosecutors say the officers stole trade secrets and internal documents from five companies and a labour union.

But the Chinese foreign ministry urged Washington to "immediately correct its mistakes" and withdraw the charges.

Spokesman Qin Gang, quoted by Xinhua news agency, said the charges were "purely ungrounded and with ulterior purpose".

He said China had decided to suspend activities of the China-US Cyber Working Group. The group was set up in April.

"Given the lack of sincerity on the part of the US to solve issues related to cyber security through dialogue and co-operation, China has decided to suspend activities of the China-US Cyber Working Group," Mr Qin said.

China has always insisted that it is itself a victim of cyber theft, wiretapping and surveillance activities by the US.

Mr Qin added: "We once again strongly urge the US side to make a clear explanation of what it has done and immediately stop such kind of activities."

Source: BBC

BDST: 0955 HRS, MAY 20, 2014