26/03/2024
China denounces ‘malicious slander’ as US, UK, NZ accuse Beijing of cyber attacks on ‘democratic institutions’
US, UK, and New Zealand accuse Beijing-backed cyber groups of targeting lawmakers and democratic institutions, a charge denied by China. The accusations, rare and detailed, highlight cyber breaches spanning over a decade, signaling a collective effort to hold Beijing accountable.
On Tuesday, New Zealand disclosed that its Parliamentary Counsel Office, responsible for drafting and publishing laws, had been compromised during the same period. Despite New Zealand's typically strong support for China, it attributed the attack to the Chinese "state-sponsored group" APT40. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, of the centre-right, acknowledged the significant move of attributing the cyber attack to China, its largest trading partner. Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed that he had directed diplomats to communicate with the Chinese Ambassador to convey New Zealand's stance and express concerns, indicating that the conversation had occurred.
