Chinese university, school "shocked", "indignant" at reported involvement in Google cyber attacks

SHANGHAI, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese educational institutions blamed for cyber attacks on Google and other firms said Saturday the allegations are unfounded.

The New York Times reported Thursday the cyber attacks on Google and other American firms have been traced to Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU) and Lanxiang Vocational School (Lanxiang) in east China's Shandong Province, which the report alleged has ties to the Chinese military.

"We were shocked and indignant to hear these baseless allegations which may harm the university's reputation," said a SJTU spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the allegation linking the attacks with SJTU students or teachers does not hold water.

"The report of the New York Times was based simply on an IP address. Given the highly developed network technology today, such a report is neither objective nor balanced," the spokesperson said.

SJTU will fully cooperate with investigators if Google seeks judicial remedies, the spokesperson said.

Li Zixiang, party chief at Lanxiang, another alleged source of the attacks, said, "Investigation in the staff found no trace that the attacks originated from our school."

Lanxiang students are still on their winter vacation, Li added.

He said Lanxiang has no relations with the military, adding that school authorities do not have military backing.

He also dismissed the report's suggestion of involvement of a "specific computer science class" taught by a Ukrainian professor.

"There is no Ukrainian teacher in the school and we have never employed any foreign staff," Li confirmed.

"The report was unfounded. Please show the evidence," he said.

Lanxiang, founded in 1984, has about 20,000 students learning vocational skills such as cooking, auto repair and hairdressing.

The computer science class offers basic courses about Photoshop, 3D drawing and Word -- not software engineering.

"It was not until 2006 that our graduates began to join the army. So far, 38 students have been recruited by the military for their talent in auto repair, cooking and electric welding," said Zhou Hui, director of the school's general office, who stressed it is natural for citizens to join the army at a proper age.

Google said on Jan. 12 it might pull out of the Chinese market, citing disagreement with government policies and unidentified attacks targeting Google's services in China.