The UK has accused organizations linked to Beijing of orchestrating two “malicious” cyber campaigns against democratic institutions and lawmakers, including compromising the Electoral Commission and UK parliamentary accounts. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden stated that the attacks in 2021 and 2022 targeted email accounts of British politicians critical of China, leading to sanctions imposed on individuals and a company linked to a state-backed Chinese hacking group, APT31. Additionally, Britain attributed a separate cyber-attack on the Electoral Commission to an unidentified Chinese state-affiliated hacking group. The Chinese embassy in London denied the accusations, labeling them as “completely fabricated” and “malicious slanders.” The UK government is navigating a delicate balance of addressing security threats posed by China while maintaining engagement in areas such as trade and climate change. Concerns about China’s alleged espionage activities have heightened, especially ahead of an expected general election in the UK. Tensions between Beijing and Western powers over cyberespionage issues have been escalating, with recent reports of Chinese hacking activities in the US and Netherlands. APT31, the group implicated by Britain, has a history of targeting politicians and campaign staff, including in the US. Despite efforts to improve ties, relations between the UK and China remain strained due to various geopolitical concerns.
