OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2016. No way.

That's what Apple told the Chinese government when asked to hand over source code for its products, according to Bruce Sewell, general counsel for the consumer-electronics giant. During congressional testimony on Tuesday, Sewell said the request from China came within the last two years.

"We have been asked by the Chinese government," Sewell said. "We refused."

Sewell's testimony refuted earlier testimony by a law enforcement official, who suggested the company had cooperated with China.

The statements were part of a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on encryption, an issue that has come to the fore since Apple and the US Department of Justice faced off over an iPhone used by a terrorist. The hearing included views from both sides, which testified separately.