BERLIN, Aug. 27 German officials released a statement claiming that China has hacked into numerous ministry computer systems and has been stealing data since May.
The announcement came just as German Chancellor Angela Merkel left on her trip to Beijing, the Times of London reported Monday.
The claims have been denied by Chinese authorities but German officials are still angry.
"If true, it is unacceptable," Ralf Stegner, a senior Social Democrat, told The Times. "China is a competitor as well as a trading partner. Mrs. Merkel has to get to the bottom of the affair on her China trip."
Merkel, who arrived in China Sunday night said, "We are pursuing the issue of protection of intellectual property very strongly with China."
Her visit was meant to be about climate change and the 2008 Olympic Games but the espionage claims will now take precedence at the meetings, said Britain's Independent.
The Chinese Embassy in Berlin has also called the reports "irresponsible speculation" and "completely unproven."
Copyright 2007 by UPI
