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.
The public accusations from members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance show key Western democracies are taking a more concerted stand against what they view as unacceptable levels of hacking and espionage by Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the US and the UK for 'hyping up the so-called cyberattacks by China,' calling it 'purely political manipulation.'
Australia and the European Union expressed solidarity with the UK and voiced concerns over China’s alleged malicious cyber activities. The accusations and sanctions come as China is trying to manage tensions and repair relations with major Western powers amid economic challenges.
The sanctions against two Chinese nationals and a technology company in Wuhan mark the first time Britain has penalized Chinese state-affiliated entities for alleged cyberattacks. British cybersecurity officials said a Chinese state-backed hacking group known as APT31 had 'conducted reconnaissance activity' against British parliamentarians critical of Beijing in 2021.
Chinese hackers also breached the UK’s Electoral Commission in 2021 and 2022, accessing personal data of 40 million voters. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the evidence submitted by the UK 'insufficient' and 'unprofessional.'
The sanctions come at a sensitive time in the UK, which is facing a general election and preparing for a wave of misinformation. The actions could disrupt the upward trajectory of UK-China ties, which have stabilized in the past year after years of deterioration.
