In a report out on Wednesday, Microsoft says the group is out to 4disrupt critical communications between the US and Asia 5in the event of a crisis. According to Microsoft, Volt Typhoon has been active since mid 2021 and has targeted critical infrastructure in parts of the US, including the 6territory of Guam. Guam is home to 7strategic US 8military bases and as a major 9communications hub between the US and Asia. 

Sectors targeted by the group include 10construction, education, government information technology, 11manufacturing, 12maritime, telecommunications, 13transport and 14utility. 

Microsoft published details of the code online so users can find and remove it. But also added that quote, "15detecting and 16mitigating this attack could be challenging." 

China has 17slammed the report. In an email the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington DC says this quote, "the 18allegation by the US side that the Chinese government is supporting hacking is completely 19distorting the truth," unquote. And at a 20MOFA briefing today, spokesperson Mao Ning said this quote, "this is a 21collective 22disinformation campaign of the 23Five Eyes coalition countries by the US for 24geopolitical purposes." 

The report comes as 25tensions 26simmer between the US and China over 27a raft of issues including Taiwan, access to technology and 28territorial disputes in the Pacific.