The British media reported today that the British MI5 warned major British banks and financial services companies that Chinese authorities used hacking to steal business intelligence. The British government refused to disclose whether it had ever warned banks and financial institutions of such activities and other details, but confirmed that a letter had indeed been sent to them. Zhao Shangsen, from the press office of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, said in an interview with the BBC that the Chinese government opposes and strictly prohibits any computer crime activities, including hacking into computer systems. Many laws and regulations in China have made clear provisions for this. Zhao Shangsen also said that hacking is an international issue, and China is also often a victim of hackers.