Numerous computers of the German government are infected by Chinese espionage programs, the weekly Der Spiegel news magazine said in a report to hit the newsstands on Sunday.
Chinese cyber spies snooped reportedly on computers in the chancellery, the foreign and economic ministry as well as the research ministry. According to the Verfassungschutz, the Chinese hackers are believed to be linked to China's People's Army.
Reacting to the report, the Chinese embassy in Berlin dismissed it as "irresponsible speculation without any basis of proof".
Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to embark on Sunday on a one-week visit to China and Japan.
The German media has repeatedly reported on extensive Chinese economic espionage inside Germany. (more)
