ISTANBUL 

Urging against the “weaponization” of economic and trade issues, China on Friday denied claims that it was “remotely controlling port cranes to collect data,” state media said. 

The claims are “completely groundless,” said Mao Ning, Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Beijing’s denial came as US media reports say the Joe Biden administration is set next week to announce a series of steps to strengthen cybersecurity at US ports, the main point of entry for trade, which employ 31 million people and generate over $5.4 trillion for the US economy.

“China firmly opposes the US' generalization of national security concepts and unjust suppression of Chinese products and companies,” Mao told reporters in Beijing.

Mao stressed that “weaponizing” economic and trade issues will “only exacerbate global supply chain security risks, ultimately harming the US itself.”​​​​​​​