March 26, 2024 at 06:42AM
The UK and New Zealand have linked cyberattacks on their respective parliaments to Chinese state-sponsored threat actors. The US also sanctioned Chinese hackers and a technology company involved in malicious cyber operations. The UK claims that a tech firm operated on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security and conducted cyberespionage against the UK’s Electoral Commission. Australia expressed concerns, while the Chinese Embassy dismissed the allegations as unfounded. New Zealand attributed cyberattacks on its parliamentary entities to a PRC state-sponsored group known as APT40.
The meeting notes highlight the escalating tension between Western countries and China over cyberattacks. The UK and New Zealand have accused Chinese state-sponsored threat actors of targeting their parliamentary systems; the UK also linked Chinese hackers to attacks on its Electoral Commission. The UK sanctioned a Chinese tech firm, Wuhan XRZ, and two individuals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, believed to be members of the hacking group APT31. The Chinese Embassy in London denied the allegations as “completely unfounded.” New Zealand also attributed cyberattacks on its parliamentary entities to a Chinese state-sponsored group, APT40. While Australia expressed concerns about Chinese state-sponsored hackers, it asserted that its own electoral systems were not compromised. These developments have strained international relations, as evidenced by the reactions of key players such as the UK, China, New Zealand, and Australia.