The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on individuals and a company linked to China, alleging their involvement in "malicious" cyber campaigns targeting UK lawmakers and the Electoral Commission.
UK Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, declared that the UK, along with its international allies, would not hesitate to expose China for its "ongoing patterns of hostile activity."
The British government formally accused China of orchestrating cyber-attacks aimed at accessing sensitive information belonging to MPs critical of Beijing, as well as potentially compromising data of up to 40 million voters.
Deputy PM Dowden asserted that such malicious cyber activity posed a grave threat to the UK's democratic system and its core values.
As a consequence of the sanctions, two Chinese nationals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, along with the Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd., identified as working for the China state-affiliated cyber espionage group APT31, have faced asset freezes and travel bans.
These measures signify the UK's firm stance against cyber threats and its commitment to safeguarding its democratic processes.
The US has echoed these actions by announcing criminal charges against the same individuals in New York, further highlighting the international concern over cyber espionage linked to China.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has also accused China of targeting its parliamentary network, though it has refrained from imposing sanctions.
The cyber-attack on the UK Electoral Commission, described as one of the most significant breaches in British history, raised alarms over the security of election processes.
While the attack did not compromise the integrity of elections, it exposed vulnerabilities that necessitate robust countermeasures, the Deputy PM stated.
British lawmakers critical of China, particularly those belonging to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, have become targets of harassment, attempted hacking, and impersonation attempts. These incidents are believed to be planned by groups aiming to silence dissent among foreign dignitaries.
Among the targeted MPs are Sir Iain Duncan Smith (former Conservative leader), Tim Loughton (former minister), and Stewart McDonald (SNP). They have called the UK's response – including additional sanctions on Chinese officials – inadequate.
McDonald likened the current approach to "fighting a gunfight with a wooden spoon." All three advocate for a stronger stance, urging the government to officially classify China as a "threat."
Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Tim Loughton were among nine UK citizens sanctioned by China for their efforts in exposing human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority group.
He emphasised, "We require more decisive measures to demonstrate to China that such actions are entirely unacceptable and will be met with repercussions. However, as of now, they are not being addressed adequately."
In contrast, the Chinese embassy rejected the UK's assertions of Chinese state involvement, denouncing them as baseless political manipulation and malicious defamation. "The UK's exaggerated portrayal of the so-called 'Chinese cyber attacks' and the imposition of sanctions are unfounded," a statement from the embassy stated.
"We have no intention or necessity to interfere in the UK's internal affairs," the statement added.
China urged the UK to cease disseminating false information about the nation immediately.
Concern within the UK government regarding Chinese espionage and interference in parliamentary affairs has escalated.
In September 2023, an arrest was made under the Official Secrets Act, accusing a parliamentary researcher of espionage on behalf of China.
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