Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian gestures during a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. China's government on Wednesday rejected as a "political lie" a report by The Wall Street Journal that Beijing tried to recruit informants in the Federal Reserve system to obtain U.S. economic data. (AP Photo/Liu Zheng)
The Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) - China's government on Wednesday rejected as a 'œpolitical lie'ť a report by The Wall Street Journal that Beijing tried to recruit informants in the Federal Reserve system to obtain U.S. economic data.
The report, citing an investigation by a Senate panel, adds to accusations of Chinese computer hacking and other efforts to steal U.S. commercial and government information.
The report 'œhas no factual basis,'ť said a foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian.
The Journal said Chinese authorities tried to recruit employees of regional Fed banks by offering contracts. It said an employee who visited Shanghai in 2019 during U.S.-Chinese trade tension was threatened with prison to pressure the employee to disclose data including about tariffs.
'œThe report you mentioned is a political lie fabricated by a few Republican lawmakers who harbor ill intentions,'ť Zhao said in response to questions at a regular news briefing. He blamed 'œChina-phobia and persecution mania.'ť
The Journal said the Senate panel's report gave no indication whether sensitive information was lost in the decade-long effort that began in about 2013. It said internal Fed information could give insight into economic analysis, financial system oversight and interest rate policy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian gestures during a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. China's government on Wednesday rejected as a "political lie" a report by The Wall Street Journal that Beijing tried to recruit informants in the Federal Reserve system to obtain U.S. economic data. (AP Photo/Liu Zheng)
The Associated Press
A Chinese couple ride on an electric bike with decals of the American flag, passing by a vendor selling souvenirs on a street in Dali, in southwestern China's Yunnan province on Sunday, July 17, 2022. China's government on Wednesday, July 27, rejected as a "political lie" a report by The Wall Street Journal that Beijing tried to recruit informants in the Federal Reserve system to obtain U.S. economic data. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
The Associated Press
A Chinese couple ride on an electric bike with decals of the American flag, passing by visitors tour at Erhai lake in Dali, in southwestern China's Yunnan province on Saturday, July 16, 2022. China's government on Wednesday, July 27, rejected as a "political lie" a report by The Wall Street Journal that Beijing tried to recruit informants in the Federal Reserve system to obtain U.S. economic data. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
The Associated Press