President Hu Jintao will visit Japan next year, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday.

He, however, said the exact date for the visit will be set by the two sides through diplomatic consultations.

China and Japan share common understanding on maintaining and enhancing high-level visits and exchanges, Qin said.

Hacking charge baseless

China Tuesday denied a media report saying Beijing was engaged in cyber espionage activities against British businesses, and said it was an "irresponsible act".

The Times, London, reported over the weekend that head of Britain's spy agency MI5 Jonathan Evans had sent letters to 300 executives and security chiefs of banking, accounting and legal firms, warning them that "Chinese state organization" was stealing their confidential information by hacking into their computer systems.

Reacting to the allegation, Qin said Tuesday: "We express our strong dissatisfaction. This is a very irresponsible act."

"China is firmly opposed to hacking and has introduced several laws to protect Internet security," Qin said at a regular press briefing.

Chinese and British authorities at present are cooperating to find out ways of combating cyber attacks. He said China hoped the cooperation was based on facts and mutual respect.

Qin said China itself is sometimes the victim of cyber crime and that hackers have targeted its computer networks.

Gordon Brown trip soon

Qin said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will visit China soon, but the exact date is yet to be finalized.

During the visit, Brown's first to China since he became prime minister in June, the two sides will discuss issues of common concern and major international topics.