China-backed cyberattacks to be sanctioned
The UK government has formally accused China of being behind 'malicious' cyber attacks on MPs and the Electoral Commission. Two individuals and a company have been sanctioned for the cyberattacks.
British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden suggests that they were behind attempts to access the data of MPs critical of Beijing and potentially 40 million voters.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK said the allegations were 'completely unfounded' and amounted to 'malicious slander'.
The two Chinese nationals sanctioned by the UK are Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, and the company is Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd, which the British government says works for the Chinese state-affiliated cyber espionage group Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31).
China denies the allegations
The UK sanctions will freeze the assets of UK citizens and businesses, preventing them from using their funds or resources. A travel ban will also prevent them from entering or remaining in the UK.
"The UK will not tolerate malicious cyber activity. Protecting our democratic system and values is an absolute priority for the UK government. We call on China to account for its conduct in these incidents."
The US said the same two Chinese nationals were among a group of seven people in New York facing charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.