China Criticizes US, UK Sanctions for Cyberattacks

China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry objected to cyber-related sanctions announced earlier this week by the U.S. and the U.K., calling them “groundless.”

The sanctions targeted a Chinese company and two people who both countries said have carried out cyberattacks (see 2403250028). A Chinese ministry spokesperson said during a regularly scheduled March 26 press conference that Beijing “firmly opposes” the measures. “Now along with the U.K., the U.S. is hyping up the so-called ‘Chinese cyberattacks’ and even launching groundless unilateral sanctions against China,” the spokesperson said, in response to a reporter's question, according to a transcript. Beijing has “made strong démarches to the U.S. and relevant parties and will take necessary measures to safeguard our lawful rights and interests.”

The spokesperson also said China “firmly opposes and combats all kinds of cyberattacks” and disputed allegations from the U.K. that a China-based group was responsible for attacking the U.K. Electoral Commission in 2021 and 2022. The “evidence provided by the British side was inadequate and relevant conclusions lack professionalism,” the person said. “But unfortunately, there has been no further response from the British side.”