Chinese president denies Beijing behind cyberattacks on US companies

China's President Xi Jinping has denied US accusations that his government authorized cyberattacks on US companies to steal commercial secrets, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

The interview comes after US national security adviser Susan Rice warned China on Monday against economic espionage, calling it an "act of aggression."

"The Chinese government does not engage in theft of commercial secrets in any form, nor does it encourage or support Chinese companies to engage in such practices in any way," Xi said in a written statement to the newspaper, published Tuesday.

The Chinese leader stressed that his nation took cybersecurity very seriously and has been a "victim" of hacker attacks. "Such acts are criminal offenses and should be punished according to law," he commented.

Xi said Beijing and Washington share cybersecurity concerns, and vowed to boost cooperation in the sphere.

The Chinese leader is due to arrive in the United States for a state visit on Tuesday, with US President Barack Obama hosting him at the White House on Friday.

The visit will begin with a trip to Seattle where Xi will reportedly meet with US and Chinese technology executives.