The Government of the United Kingdom has formally accused China of being behind what it has described as “malicious” cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral Commission.
Africa Today News, New York can confirm that two people and a company have been sanctioned over the cyber-attacks.
Deputy PM Oliver Dowden pointed out they were behind attempts to access details of MPs critical of Beijing, as well as the data of potentially 40 million voters.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in the UK has reacted saying that these are “completely unfounded” claims amounting to “malicious slander”.
The two Chinese nationals sanctioned are Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin and the company is Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd, who they say work for the China state-affiliated cyber espionage group Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31).
The UK sanctions will freeze assets, barring UK citizens and businesses from handling their funds or resources. A travel ban will also prevent them from entering or remaining in the UK.
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“The UK will not tolerate malicious cyber activity,” Mr Dowden said.
“It is an absolute priority for the UK government to protect our democratic system and values.”
The Chinese ambassador is being called in to be held “to account for China’s conduct in these incidents”, Mr Dowden added.
The cyber attack on the Electoral Commission between August 2021 and October 2022 was one of the most significant in British history.
Not only were databases containing names and addresses of people accessed, but also sensitive emails from its “control systems” and between election officials over six by-elections.
However, Mr Dowden said the security of elections had not been compromised and “typically does not create a risk to those affected”.
The MPs targeted are all members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which scrutinises, and often criticises, the activities of Beijing.