Accusing China of internet spying is no longer a new topic in Western media. Now it is "agricultural espionage" that several U.S. media outlets are reporting, leaving American farmers deeply disturbed.

A story said that Tim Burrack, a northern Iowa farmer, has taken to keeping a wary eye out for unfamiliar vehicles around his 300 acres of genetically modified corn seeds ever since Mo Hailong and six other Chinese people were accused by U.S. authorities in 2013 of digging up seeds from Iowa farms and planning to send them back to China.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice say cases of espionage in the agricultural sector have been growing, reported Reuters. Over the past two years, U.S. companies, government research institutes and universities have become targets.

The number of international economic espionage cases referred to the FBI is rising, up 15 percent each year between 2009 and 2014, and up 53 percent in 2015.

In the agricultural sector, organic insecticide and irrigation equipment, along with rice and corn, have all been suspected targets, said a U.S. law enforcement official.

Although prosecutors have so far been unable to link the Chinese government to Mo's group, the case nevertheless adds to friction between the U.S. and China.

Commenting on these reports, a researcher at the American Studies Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Tao Wenzhao, said that it is “pure fabrication."

When it comes to agricultural security, China does not pose a threat to the world. In fact, China has made significant contributions to global food security. China also possesses its own advanced technology for the cultivation of rice and other agricultural techniques.

Tao said the U.S. is keen to find fault with China because they are worried that China will overtake them. Now they are showing increased scrutiny of China's economy, technology and agriculture.

Tao added that farm security is a global issue. China is also facing threats in this area. It is a universal necessity to protect agriculture.