China firmly denied any interest in meddling in U.S. elections on Friday, responding to accusations from President Donald Trump that Beijing is conducting a widespread voter data breach and interfering in the United States' electoral process.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry labeled the U.S. allegations as "groundless," underscoring Beijing's commitment to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
The ministry stated that China "has no interest in interfering in U.S. elections," directly countering Trump's claims that Beijing has been involved in activities targeting the U.S. electoral system since the 2020 elections.
Intelligence Revelations
In a Thursday evening speech, Trump announced plans to declassify intelligence he claims exposes significant vulnerabilities in the American electoral system.
The U.S. president alleged that China carried out what he described as the largest breach of electoral data in history, resulting in the illicit acquisition of files on approximately 220 million American voters.
Trump also accused Beijing of engaging in activities aimed at damaging his chances in the 2020 election and undermining trust in him, as well as influencing media coverage within the United States.
The U.S. administration has yet to provide independent public details supporting these claims. Trump stated he requested the Director of National Intelligence and the FBI to investigate the alleged Chinese interference, noting that official documents related to the matter have been hidden or downplayed.
Visa Restrictions Dispute
In another issue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed new U.S. visa restrictions, calling them discriminatory measures that do not foster exchange between the peoples of the two nations.
Beijing urged Washington to rescind the new policy promptly, warning that China reserves the right to impose reciprocal measures.
This latest exchange adds to the list of disputes between the two powers, which include trade, technology, cyber security, and Taiwan, as both sides strive to keep political communication channels open despite escalating mutual accusations.