China urged the United States and Britain on Tuesday to refrain from politicizing cybersecurity matters, criticizing their attempts to slander and smear China while unilaterally imposing sanctions on the country.
At a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the U.S. and the UK for revisiting alleged cyberattacks attributed to China and for sanctioning Chinese individuals and entities.
“This is pure political maneuvering by the United States and the United Kingdom,” Lin stated firmly, expressing China’s strong dissatisfaction and opposition to such actions.
The statements came after U.S. and British officials pressed charges, levied sanctions, and accused Beijing of orchestrating a broad cyberespionage campaign affecting millions of individuals.
The hacking group implicated in these allegations was dubbed Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31), which authorities on both sides of the Atlantic claimed is linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in London dismissed the charges as “completely fabricated and malicious slanders.”
Lin emphasized that China had previously provided technical clarifications and responses to the information submitted by the British side regarding APT31, indicating insufficient evidence and lacking professionalism in the conclusions drawn.
“Unfortunately, the British side has not provided further responses since then,” Lin lamented.
Amidst accusations, Britain accused Chinese hackers of attempting to breach the email accounts of British lawmakers critical of China.
Lin noted that China had lodged solemn representations to all relevant parties and reiterated its commitment to taking necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Several other countries have also leveled hacking and cyberattack allegations against China, all of which the country has vehemently denied.
For instance, the New Zealand government disclosed on Tuesday that it had raised concerns with the Chinese government regarding its alleged involvement in a state-sponsored cyber hack on New Zealand’s parliament in 2021.
Earlier this year, the United States launched an operation to counter a pervasive Chinese hacking operation targeting thousands of internet-connected devices.
