Attack on the UK’s Electoral Commission

This indictment has prompted a strong international reaction, with the UK explicitly attributing similar cyber misconduct to China-affiliated actors. According to a statement from the UK government, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has linked a Chinese state-affiliated entity to the compromise of the UK Electoral Commission’s systems between 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, the NCSC has assessed with high confidence that in 2021, APT31, another group affiliated with China’s state apparatus, engaged in reconnaissance activities targeting UK parliamentarians.

Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, Oliver Dowden, emphasized the government’s stance, asserting, “We will continue to call out this activity, holding the Chinese government accountable for its actions.” He described these incidents as “part of a clear pattern of malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-affiliated organizations and individuals targeting democratic institutions and parliamentarians in the UK and beyond.”

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron echoed these sentiments, deeming the targeting of democratic institutions by China-affiliated entities as “completely unacceptable.”

Highlighting the resilience of the UK’s electoral system, Home Secretary James Cleverly said, “China’s attempts at espionage did not give them the results they wanted, and our new National Security Act has made the UK an even harder target. Our upcoming elections, at local and national level, are robust and secure.”

Australia and New Zealand raise similar concerns against China

Apart from the UK and the US, New Zealand has also raised a red flag and accused the Chinese government of malicious cyber activity. The Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, confirmed that New Zealand’s concerns have been directly conveyed to the Chinese government. He said, “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns about cyberattacks sponsored by the Chinese government, targeting democratic institutions in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.”

Australia has also joined other countries in condemning China for allegedly launching cyberattacks against the UK’s democratic institutions and parliamentarians. Although Australia’s electoral systems were not affected by the cyber campaigns directed towards the UK, the persistent targeting of democratic institutions and processes has implications for democratic and open societies like Australia. A statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized this concern.