Question: According to reports, Shenzhen Zhenhua' leaked database indicates the company has been collecting data of more than 2.4 million people and 650 thousand institutions for the purpose of providing relevant Chinese government agencies with analysis of known political, military and business figures worldwide. There are comments that this is evidence that the Chinese government is collecting data from abroad to manipulate public opinion and influence internal affairs of other countries. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in the UK?

Embassy Spokesperson: We noticed the company's response that the report is seriously untrue. The company said clearly that it's a private company, and its clients are research institutions and business groups. Instead of collecting data, the company only integrates data from open and available sources online, and this is no difference from companies of other countries that are engaged in similar business operations.

China has always been a staunch defender of cyber security. China's Cyber Security Law stipulates that cyber operators must abide by laws, relevant administrative regulations, social morals and business ethics, and fulfill their obligations of protecting cyber security with integrity and credibility. When collecting and using online personal information, business operators should follow the principles of legality, legitimacy and necessity, and must not obtain such information through theft or other illegal means.

Some forces with ulterior motives has been hyping so-called "theft" and "manipulation" of cyber data by China. This is a step in their strategy to suppress and smear China. What deserves vigilance from everyone is the US government's long-time systematic surveillance of the world, as in the case of Edward Snowden. That's why Ireland recently asked Facebook to suspend transmission of EU users' data to the United States.

Recently, China proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security to uphold data and supply chain security and advance digital economy, which has received positive response from a growing number of countries. China is ready to enhance cooperation and communication with all sides to reach agreement on and abide by global rules that reflect the will and respect the interests of all countries, prevent all practices of using one's technological edge to undermine other countries' security, and work with countries of the world to jointly safeguard global data security.

We call on all other parties to work together with China to make practical efforts and jointly build a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyber space.