The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed concerns over the United States' claim over its intelligence-building capabilities inside China.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the ministry, made clear the concerns in response to reports that William Burns, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said last week that the U.S. spy agency had "made progress" in rebuilding its intelligence network in China and had "a strong human intelligence capability" in the country.

"We have noticed relevant reports and are concerned about them," Mao told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

The U.S. keeps spreading misinformation about so-called Chinese spies and cyber attacks, but at the same time it makes no secret of its intention to carry out massive intelligence gathering against China, said Mao. "This is very telling in itself."

China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national security, she added.

(Cover: File photo of Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)