Trump's fiery China allegations may threaten superpower truce

WASHINGTON, July 17 : Donald Trump's renewed accusations that China meddled in U.S. elections could complicate his fragile truce with Chinese leader Xi Jinping just two months before a planned summit in Washington.

The U.S. president on Thursday revived his long-running complaints about voting systems and election administration as Republicans face challenging congressional elections in November. His comments focused heavily on China and included the claim, previously denied by Beijing, that the country improperly acquired data about millions of U.S. voters.

"This data loss presents an unprecedented election security nightmare," Trump said.

China's Foreign Ministry said the accusations were "pure fabrication" and amounted to "a malicious smear campaign".

Beijing has no interest in interfering with U.S. elections and has never done so, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular briefing on Friday. "We urge the U.S. to take a long, hard look at itself and stop making unfounded accusations against China."

Before the address, Liu Chang, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said: "China has never and will never interfere in the presidential elections of the U.S."

Trump, who frequently boasts of a warm personal relationship with Xi, at times sounded personally aggrieved by China's efforts.�" REUTERS