Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed the U.S. Treasure Department's claim that its systems had been attacked by hackers supported by China as "unwarranted and groundless allegations" at a the last press briefing of the year in Beijing on Tuesday.
She made the remarks in response to a media query about the U.S. Treasury Department's statement on Monday that it was subject to a cyberattack by a China state-sponsored actor earlier in December.
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Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
"On this kind of unwarranted and groundless allegations, we've made clear our position more than once. China opposes all forms of hacking, and in particular, we oppose spreading China-related disinformation motivated by political agenda," she said.
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Spokeswoman dismisses US Treasury Department's hacker allegation
Nigeria's fuel market is undergoing a rare shake-up as competition pushes prices lower, bringing relief to local consumers while raising concerns over business durability.
In the capital city of Abuja, the state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has been selling petrol at about 815 naira per liter (about 0.57 U.S. dollars per liter), down from about 0.66 U.S. dollars per liter earlier in 2026. Other stations supplied by private giant Dangote are offering even lower prices, selling at around 750 naira (about 0.53 U.S. dollars) per liter.
For millions of Nigerians, the drop has been easing pressure on transport, food and daily living costs.
"I spend relatively lower on fuel and, by implication, transportation now than what it used to be," said Salifu Usman, a local resident in Abuja.
"We are happy with what we are seeing, because, of course, for a very long time, we are witnessing the crash down of price, even during festive period," said Jonathan Madaki, another resident.
The price cut has also allowed for higher profit margins for local small business operators, who have long relied on petrol-powered generators to cope with chronic power shortages.
Behind the price cuts is a growing battle for market share. The Nigeria-based Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa, has boosted domestic supply and slashed its wholesale price to around 700 naira (about 0.49 U.S. dollars) per liter.
The move has forced importers and the state oil company to lower their own prices to stay competitive. But as margins shrink, analysts warn, what now appears to be a price war may not last.
"My own interpretation is that we are going to that stage where, especially those that, if it keeps coming down, I think those that bring in products may find it not so attractive again. So I don't actually see how sustainable this price war, if I may use that term, will be," said energy expert Paul Ogwu.
Nigeria petrol price cuts ease living costs, raise durability concerns
