Beijing has criticized the United States and the United Kingdom for imposing sanctions over alleged Chinese government-backed cyberattacks, labeling the move as an act of 'political manipulation.' The US and the UK announced criminal charges and sanctions against seven Chinese hackers for allegedly conducting sweeping attacks on behalf of China’s civilian intelligence agency. The campaign allegedly targeted American officials, senators, journalists, companies, British parliamentarians, the UK’s election watchdog, and members of the European Parliament, affecting millions of people.
New Zealand also accused state-sponsored Chinese hackers of launching 'malicious cyber activity' against the country’s parliament in 2021. Accusations of cyber espionage have been a major point of friction between Beijing and Washington, with the US indicting Chinese hackers in recent years.
