China asks US to explain internet surveillance

China made its first substantive comments on Monday to reports of US surveillance of the internet, demanding that Washington explain its monitoring programs to the international community.

Several nations, including US allies, have reacted angrily to revelations by an ex-CIA employee over a week ago that US authorities had tapped the servers of internet companies for personal data.

"We believe the US should pay attention to the international community's concerns and demands and give the international community the necessary explanation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily briefing.

The Chinese government has previously not commented directly on the case, simply repeating the government's standard line that China is one of the world's biggest victims of hacking attacks. A senior source with ties to the Communist Party leadership said Beijing was reluctant to jeopardise recently improved ties with Washington.