In a statement, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong denounced the “malicious cyber activities perpetrated by state-backed actors from China” and pledged to hold accountable any state violating international norms.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement condemned the “malicious cyber activities by China state-backed actors” and vowed to call out States that contravene international standards.
“The Australian Government joins the United Kingdom and other international partners in expressing serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China state-backed actors targeting UK democratic institutions and parliamentarians,” she said.
“The persistent targeting of democratic institutions and processes has implications for democratic and open societies like Australia”
“This behavior is unacceptable and must stop,” warned Wong, in a statement with her Home Affairs and Cyber Security counterpart, Clare O’Neil, in which they assured that Australia’s electoral systems have not been compromised.
Australian ministers have pledged ongoing collaboration with global partners to advance international law and responsible state conduct in cyberspace. They emphasised a commitment to publicly addressing any state actions that run counter to these norms.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has raised concerns directly with the Chinese government regarding purported malicious cyber activities linked to Chinese-sponsored groups. These activities have targeted democratic institutions in the UK and New Zealand.
“Foreign interference of this nature is unacceptable, and we have urged China to refrain from such activity in future. New Zealand will continue to speak out – consistently and predictably – where we see concerning behaviors like this,” Peters said.
UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden revealed on Monday that Chinese state-linked entities and individuals orchestrated two cyber campaigns aimed at democratic institutions and lawmakers.
According to Dowden, the UK Electoral Commission systems were likely breached by a Chinese state-affiliated entity between 2021 and 2022 in the first campaign.
Additionally, he stated that the China state-affiliated Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31) engaged in reconnaissance activity against UK parliamentarians during a separate campaign in 2021.
In response, the UK government summoned the Chinese ambassador and imposed sanctions on a front company and two members of APT31.
Dowden said the government’s commitment to denouncing such activities and holding the Chinese government responsible for its actions.
