China has asked the US to immediately correct its "mistakes and withdraw the indictment," and warned it would react further to the situation as it evolves.
US ambassador Max Baucus was summoned by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, who lodged a "solemn representation" with him, an official statement said.
Five People's Liberation Army officers were indicted by the US Justice Departed on charges that they hacked into six American entities including Westinghouse Electric and stole trade secrets to benefit Chinese companies.
China denies the allegations and has suspended the activities of the China-US Cyber Working Group, set up in April last year with a vision to curb the increasing threat from hacking attacks.
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He said China's position on cyber security is consistent and clear-cut. It is steadfast in upholding cyber security.
The Chinese government, its military and their relevant personnel have "never engaged or participated" in cyber-theft of trade secrets, he said.
The US accusation against Chinese personnel is "purely ungrounded and with ulterior purpose," Qin said.
Beijing has in the past accused the US of hypocrisy after reports of surveillance and wiretapping around the world including world leaders came to public knowledge.
"We once again strongly urge the US side to make a clear explanation of what it has done and immediately stop such kind of activities," the foreign ministry spokesman said.