Sony cancels "The Interview"
A security guard stands at the entrance of a United Artists theater during the premiere of the film "The Interview" in Los Angeles, Dec. 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry said media reports claiming that China had helped North Korea in a hacking attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment are “irresponsible.”

She also urged the United States and North Korea to sort out the issue with discussions. The two countries have traded threats and accusations over a massive cyberattack at Sony Pictures in November, which made public sensitive private emails and employee information. The attack, by a group calling itself "Guardians Of Peace," was reportedly in retaliation to "The Interview," a comedy movie with a plot that centers around a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The U.S. had earlier asked the Chinese government to identify any North Korean hackers operating in the country and send them back to their country.