The Chinese hackers also targeted human rights activists in the United States and Hong Kong.

Two Chinese nationals have been indicted for hacking COVID-19 vaccine research and the intellectual property of companies in the United States and other countries, the US Justice Department said Tuesday.

The Chinese hackers also targeted human rights activists in the United States and Hong Kong, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said.

The hackers were working with China’s Ministry of State Security, Demers said.

The indictments come as US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday he plans to visit China this year, as Washington takes a tougher stance against Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the United States would treat Beijing’s pursuit of resources in the South China Sea as illegal, ramping up support for Southeast Asian nations with rival claims and triggering a furious response from Beijing.

It was the latest forceful statement by US President Donald Trump’s administration to challenge China, which it has increasingly cast as an enemy ahead of November elections.

“We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them,” Pompeo said in a statement.

(i24 News).