Chinese technology conglomerate Alibaba Group has strongly rejected allegations that it assisted Beijing in targeting the United States, describing a recent media report as completely false according to AFP.
The Allegations Against Alibaba
According to a White House memo cited by the Financial Times on Saturday, Alibaba provides technical support for Chinese military operations directed at the United States. The memo specifically claimed that Alibaba shares customer data including IP addresses, WiFi details, and payment records with Chinese authorities and the People's Liberation Army.
However, the Financial Times noted it was unable to independently verify these serious claims. The White House reportedly considers these alleged actions a significant threat to US national security.
Alibaba's Strong Denial
An Alibaba Group spokesperson directly addressed the accusations, telling AFP that the assertions and innuendos in the article are completely false. The company went further, characterizing the memo as part of a malicious public relations operation.
Alibaba suggested the allegations originated from a rogue voice attempting to undermine President Donald Trump's recent trade deal with China. This response highlights the intense sensitivity surrounding US-China trade relations.
Broader Context of US-China Tensions
This conflict emerges against the backdrop of ongoing technological competition between Beijing and Washington. Both global powers are aggressively pursuing dominance in critical technology sectors.
The tensions escalated after President Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. Following months of reciprocal tariff impositions between the world's two largest economies, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a one-year truce in late October.
China's embassy in the United States also refuted the claims made in the reported memo. Spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated on X that the Chinese government will never require companies or individuals to collect or provide data located in foreign countries in violation of local laws.
Growing Concerns Over Cyber Espionage
The report also touches on increasing American worries about China's potential use of advanced spying technology. In a related development, California-based artificial intelligence company Anthropic revealed on Thursday that it had identified and prevented what it described as the first recorded cyber-espionage operation conducted primarily by autonomous AI systems.
Anthropic attributed these activities to a Chinese state-sponsored group designated as GTG-1002. Meanwhile, when questioned about the report during a Friday news conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said he was not familiar with the specifics but emphasized that Beijing consistently opposes hacking activities.
The situation illustrates the complex intersection of technology, national security, and international trade relations that continues to define the competitive relationship between the United States and China.
