Washington, May 9 (IANS/EFE): The US asked China to investigate the alleged cyber attacks on companies and other interests in the US using a new tool called "The Great Cannon".

"We are concerned by reports that China has used a new cyber capability to interfere with the ability of worldwide Internet users to access content hosted outside of China," US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said, on Friday, during his daily press conference.

The spokesman was answering a question about the suspected use of "The Great Cannon" tool, which can be used to spy on web users who visit Chinese sites or simply web pages with content hosted in China.

"We have asked Chinese authorities to investigate this activity and provide us with the results of their investigation."

"At the same time, we're working with all willing partners to enhance cyber security, promote norms of acceptable state behaviour in cyber space, and to protect the principle of freedom of expression online," Rathke added.

"And we view attacks by malicious cyber actors who target critical infrastructure or US companies and US consumers as threats to national security, and to the economy of the US," he said.

According to US media, China blamed IT pirates for the latest cyber attacks against web pages on Facebook accounts.