The government of China responded on Tuesday to British claims about the alleged hacking of the UK Electoral Commission, stating that these claims are false and without basis. This response comes after London announced sanctions against two Chinese nationals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, as well as the Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd, on Monday.
The British government asserts that these individuals and the company are associated with Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31), which is purportedly a state-affiliated hacker group responsible for two cyber attacks on British voting systems.
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“The UK’s hype-up of the so-called ‘Chinese cyber attacks’ without basis and the announcement of sanctions is outright political manipulation and malicious slander,” the Chinese embassy in London said. “We have no interest or need to meddle in the UK’s internal affairs.”
The Chinese embassy has urged the UK to cease disseminating false information regarding China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated on Tuesday that the evidence provided by Britain concerning APT31 was insufficient, and the resulting conclusions lacked professionalism. He further emphasized that China will take necessary measures to protect its lawful rights and interests. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, announcing the sanctions on Monday evening, accused China of attacking democracy and pledged that such actions would not be tolerated.
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London has accused APT31 of orchestrating cyber attacks on the UK Electoral Commission from August 2021 to October 2022, gaining access to voter databases, sensitive emails, control systems, and officials involved in six by-elections.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has accused the US of collaborating to disseminate various false information about the threats posed by alleged ‘Chinese hackers,’ utilizing its allies from the ‘Five Eyes’ network, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. New Zealand also reported being targeted by a distinct group of Chinese hackers on Monday, while the US Department of Justice announced criminal charges against seven Chinese nationals, including the two individuals mentioned by the UK. This group is accused of attempting to hack British and American nationals through malicious emails spanning a 14-year period.
The dispute between China and the UK over alleged cyber attacks and subsequent sanctions underscores escalating tensions in cybersecurity, with the Chinese government responding to UK’s cyber sanctions.