UK accuses China of cyber malice against parliamentarians

The British government accuses China of cyber malice. This weekend, government sources predicted in the press a tough speech in Parliament, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refuses to describe Beijing as a “threat”, preferring the term “major challenge”. The government was ultimately rather reserved in its criticism.

From left to right, British ministers Oliver Dowden, Michelle Donelan, Rishi Sunak, Lucy Frazer and Jeremy Hunt, on February 21 in the British Parliament (photo illustration). AFP - JESSICA TAYLOR

By: RFI Follow

Advertisement

Read more

With our correspondent in London,

Émeline Vin

The Deputy Prime Minister of the

United Kingdom

, Oliver Dowden, confirmed this Monday two cyberattacks from

China

between 2021 and 2022: hacking of the electoral register and attempts against parliamentarians. “ 

The targeting of parliamentarians by actors affiliated with foreign states is completely unacceptable,”

he said.

These actions, clear and repeated, signal hostile intentions on the part of China. 

»

Two “

 actors affiliated with China 

” were sanctioned. All this is too little for Iain Duncan Smith, a Conservative MP himself targeted by Beijing. “ 

Why two?”

he asks.

The

United States

has sanctioned more than 40 people in Hong Kong alone, and we have zero! We must change our foreign policy.

»

In opposition, Pat McFadden questions the return of David Cameron to Foreign Affairs, citing the parliamentary committee on national security: " 

It is possible that the appointment of

David Cameron

as vice-president of a fund Sino-British investments was orchestrated by the Chinese state to make Chinese investments more credible. So how can we ensure that politicians who leave office do not become targets?

»

Oliver Dowden promises: the nomination was subject to rigorous checks. For its part, China nevertheless denounces slander.

To rereadHong Kong: United States and United Kingdom denounce the draft new security law

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your inbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Share :

Continue reading on the same themes:

  • United Kingdom

  • China

  • Cybercriminality

  • Rishi Sunak

  • Computer science