Beijing denounces 'irresponsible' allegations of Chinese hacking by Australian official

Beijing has strongly rejected recent allegations by an Australian intelligence official accusing so-called China-backed hackers of targeting Australia's communications and infrastructure networks.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission's director-general Mike Burgess told a forum on Wednesday that China has been conducting espionage and other disruptive efforts within the country to target communications networks.

The remarks were the latest in a series of unfounded accusations made by the Australian official since the beginning of this year aimed at "smearing China, spreading disinformation, and provoking confrontation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

"China firmly opposes such actions and has lodged solemn representations with the Australian side," he told reporters at a daily news briefing.

"We hope relevant Australian officials could stop making irresponsible comments and do more things conducive to the sound development of China-Australia relations," Guo added.