Beijing Slams US and UK for Sanctions Over Alleged Cyberattacks
In a fiery response, Beijing criticized the United States and the United Kingdom for imposing sanctions related to alleged Chinese government-backed cyberattacks, denouncing the Western allies’ actions as “political manipulation.”
On Monday, the US and the UK unveiled criminal charges and sanctions against seven Chinese hackers accused of carrying out widespread attacks on behalf of China’s civilian intelligence agency. The targets of the yearslong campaign reportedly included American officials, senators, journalists, companies (including Pentagon contractors), British parliamentarians, the UK’s election watchdog, and members of the European Parliament, impacting millions of individuals.
Adding to the chorus, New Zealand also accused state-sponsored Chinese hackers of engaging in “malicious cyber activity” against its parliament in 2021.
Accusations of cyber espionage have fueled tensions between Beijing and Washington for years, with the US indicting several Chinese hackers recently.
The public allegations from members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance highlight a unified stance by key Western democracies against what they perceive as unacceptable hacking and espionage by China.
During a news conference, China’s Foreign Ministry lambasted the US and the UK, accusing them of sensationalizing the cyberattacks. The ministry’s spokesperson, Lin Jian, expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the sanctions, urging both countries to cease politicizing cybersecurity matters and halt cyberattacks on China.
Australia and the European Union voiced support for the UK and voiced concerns over China’s alleged cyber activities, as scrutiny on Beijing intensifies in a major election year for democracies worldwide.
The accusations and sanctions come at a critical juncture for China, which is striving to navigate tensions and mend strained relations with major Western powers amid economic challenges and dwindling foreign investment.
Beijing’s frustration was palpable as Lin criticized the US for influencing the Five Eyes alliance to disseminate misinformation about Chinese hackers for geopolitical motives.
Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor specializing in Chinese politics at City University of Hong Kong, remarked that the coordinated actions by the US and its allies undermine Beijing’s strategy of division and rule. Despite differences, these countries are united on many issues concerning China, he added.
The sanctions against two Chinese nationals and a technology company in Wuhan mark the UK’s first penalties on Chinese state-affiliated entities for alleged cyberattacks, as Western intelligence agencies raise concerns.
British cybersecurity officials revealed that a Chinese state-backed hacking group, APT31, conducted reconnaissance activities against British lawmakers critical of Beijing in 2021. Additionally, Chinese hackers likely breached the UK’s Electoral Commission in 2021 and 2022, accessing data of 40 million voters.
Responding to the UK’s information on APT31, the Chinese Foreign Ministry deemed the evidence insufficient and unprofessional, calling for technical clarification.
The sanctions come at a sensitive time for the UK, facing an election and preparing for a surge in misinformation. Economic ties with China are already undergoing securitization, with bans on Huawei from 5G networks and Hikvision camera systems from sensitive sites.
The sanctions risk disrupting the positive trajectory of UK-China relations, which stabilized in the past year under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s foreign policy approach. China is likely to retaliate, as per experts.
“I would be astonished if (Beijing) does not respond in kind. China does not tend to receive such actions without retaliation.” — CNN
