Secretary Of State: China Needs To Stop Stealing Research Data On COVID-19

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 14 criticized China's attempt to steal Washington's Covid-19 research data, calling on Beijing to immediately end these wrongdoings.

“The United States condemns the efforts of cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with the People's Republic of China to steal intellectual property and data related to Covid research- 19 of the US.”

Pompeo said in a statement.

The US Secretary of State also called on the Chinese government to "stop this malevolent act". He also added that Beijing's cyber acts were "a continuation of China's counterproductive actions during the Covid-19 pandemic".

“While the United States and its allies and our partners are working together in a collective, transparent response to save people, China continues to force scientists, journalists and people to citizens must remain silent, at the same time spreading false information, exacerbating the dangers of the health crisis.”

The top US diplomat said.

Pompeo's comments came after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Homeland Security released a joint statement on May 13 confirming that the FBI is investigating attacks by cyber powers. The Internet is linked to Chinese authorities targeting American organizations conducting research on Covid-19.

US Secretary of State Pompeo has repeatedly criticized the Chinese government's response to Covid-19. He said that Beijing's lack of transparency has caused the disease to spread globally and hinder efforts to prevent another pandemic from exploding in the future.