Beijing: China has strongly rebuked the accusations of cyber attack from the US and its two key allies - the UK and New Zealand.
The three nations alleged Beijing's involvement in a series of cyber breaches targeting lawmakers and democratic institutions.
It is a rare and detailed public accusation against China, describing a pattern of cyber intrusions spanning over a decade.
Responding to the allegations, China reiterated its opposition to all forms of cyberattacks and criticized the US for disseminating false information about threats from Chinese hackers through the Five Eyes spying alliance. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized China's commitment to safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, reported AFP.
The accusations from Washington outlined a prolonged global hacking operation spanning 14 years, allegedly orchestrated to support China's economic espionage and foreign intelligence objectives. The campaign, attributed to a unit called APT31, was said to have targeted businesses, politicians, candidates for office, and journalists, with thousands of emails sent as part of the operation.
In a coordinated effort, London announced that the same APT31 group had targeted UK lawmakers' accounts, with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden revealing a likely compromise of the country's Electoral Commission. Despite the seriousness of the threat, Dowden assured that democratic processes would remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, New Zealand disclosed that its Parliamentary Counsel Office had been compromised around the same period, attributing the attack to the Chinese state-sponsored group APT40. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the significance of blaming China for the cyber attack, noting the country's strong trade partnership with New Zealand.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters instructed diplomats to express concerns to the Chinese Ambassador. This move reflects the growing willingness of Western nations to expose malicious cyber operations and hold foreign governments accountable.
The accusations come amid escalating tensions between Western nations and China, with both sides engaging in accusations of cyber espionage. The Chinese government has previously released reports accusing the US of cyberattacks against China and other countries, although these claims have been denied by Washington.