China wants to work with US on cyberattacks but will defend its interests

President Xi Jinping's special envoy Meng Jianzhu, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, Sept. 11, 2015. China and the United States have reached important consensus on combating cyber crimes. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - China opposes Internet attacks and wants to work with the United States in cyberspace but will defend its interests, a senior Chinese official said on Thursday.

There is little doubt that cyber security would be a hot topic during a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington next week, Xi's first state visit to the United States.

Beijing and Washington face "common challenges" on Internet security, making it "especially important for the two sides to increase mutual trust and cooperation in cyberspace", Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said.

"At the same time, the Chinese government firmly safeguards its own interests in cyberspace and is resolutely opposed to any statements or actions that harm China's interests," Zheng told reporters at a briefing on Xi's state visit.

Zheng said "we can cooperate and we should cooperate", including on setting international Internet standards.