The United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand have accused China of conducting cyberattacks. According to them, Chinese hackers targeted various entities over many years, allegedly to serve China’s economic and intelligence goals.
The US Justice Department charged seven Chinese individuals with involvement in what they described as a long-term global hacking operation aimed at supporting China’s interests.
In response to these accusations, the UK revealed that a group called APT31, reportedly operating under China’s Ministry of State Security, targeted UK lawmakers, including those critical of China’s policies. Additionally, they claimed that attempts were made to compromise the country’s Electoral Commission ahead of an upcoming general election. However, UK officials assured that these efforts were thwarted and would not affect the democratic process.
Separately, New Zealand disclosed that its Parliamentary Counsel Office fell victim to cyberattacks during a similar timeframe. They attributed these attacks to a Chinese state-sponsored group known as APT40. This move by New Zealand to point fingers at China marked a significant departure from its usual stance of maintaining close ties with the country.
In response to the accusations, China vehemently denied any involvement in cyberattacks, dismissing the allegations as political manipulation and malicious slander. Chinese embassies in London, Wellington, and Washington refuted the claims, asserting that China itself is also a victim of cyberattacks.
These developments underscore the increasing tensions between countries regarding cyber issues. Despite efforts by Western nations to expose cyber threats and attribute them to foreign governments, such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, determining the source of cyberattacks can be challenging due to the use of intermediaries and off-site groups.
Some UK lawmakers, including those targeted by China’s sanctions in 2021, called for labeling China as a threat to the UK. They pointed to China’s actions against its Uyghur minority and in Hong Kong as evidence of its aggressive behavior. Both the UK and the US possess significant cyber capabilities, although they often keep them under wraps.
These developments highlight the complexities of international cyber relations and the growing tensions between major powers in the digital realm.