China on Friday responded to U.S. accusations that Beijing has conducted widespread economic espionage, saying the charges “severely damage the basic code of international relations and China-U.S. cooperation.” 

China’s foreign ministry said it strongly opposes the allegations and urges the U.S. to cease “defaming” China.

The response comes after the U.S. Department of Justice and several American allies accused China of hacking and stealing information from tech firms and government agencies.

The two Chinese individuals — Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong — were accused of “conspiracy to commit computer intrusions” against companies in the U.S. and other countries, the Justice Department said in a press conference Thursday in Washington.

The department linked the two defendants with the Chinese government and said they are members of a group that has engaged in years-long hacking campaigns. The defendants allegedly stole information from at least 45 U.S. tech companies and government agencies, the government said.

Related: U.S. Accuses 2 Chinese Nationals of Hacking