Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei invites a question from a journalist at a regular press coference in Beijing, June 2, 2011. [mfa.gov.cn]

BEIJING – China rejected Google's allegations that it is behind hacking attacks on hundreds of personal Gmail accounts, including those of US government officials.

"Allegations that the Chinese government supports hacking activities are completely unfounded and made with ulterior motives," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters Thursday.

Related: Google's accusations hurt trust on Internet

Google said Wednesday that personal Gmail accounts of several hundred people, including senior US government officials, military personnel and political activists, had been breached by hackers based in Jinan, China.

"China has stood firmly against activities that sabotage Internet and computer security, including hacking, and resolutely cracks down on it," Hong said.

Hong told reporters that hacking was a global problem and Chinese networks had also been targeted by hackers.