Question: For some time now, the UK side has been hyping so-called “China cyberattacks”. What’s your comment?
Embassy Spokesperson: Cybersecurity is a common challenge for all countries and the shared responsibility of all. Committed to the peaceful use of cyberspace, the Chinese government pursues constructive cooperation with the international community in protecting peace and security in cyberspace on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. We believe that cyber sovereignty should be respected and cyber hegemony should be rejected, and work to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness, cooperation and order.
China is a major victim of cyberattacks. We have been resolute in combating all kinds of malign cyber activities in accordance with the law, and never encourage, support or condone cyberattacks.
Given the virtual nature of cyberspace and the fact that there are all kinds of online actors, tracing cyberattacks is complex and highly sensitive. It is imperative that the investigation and identification of cyberattacks must be based on adequate and solid evidence. We firmly oppose the practice of politicising cybersecurity issues, accusing other countries without evidence, and wantonly associating cyberattacks with the government of any country.
China has put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security. We reject the use of information and communications technology to jeopardise the critical infrastructure or steal the important data of other countries, or conduct activities that undermine their national security and public interests. We call on all countries to cooperate towards a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace, welcome all countries including the UK to join the Initiative, and stand ready to make joint efforts to establish international rules for cyberspace that are fair and rational and make cyberspace governance more democratic and transparent.
For some time now, the UK side has been hyping so-called “China cyberattacks”, accusing the Chinese government or entities supported by the government of cyberattacks against the UK without any evidence. The Chinese side firmly rejects such irresponsible behaviour and has publicly condemned this. We urge UK politicians and media to stop their groundless attacks against China and stop using cybersecurity as an excuse for political maneuvering. Otherwise, they will only further undermine cybersecurity cooperation and bilateral relations between China and the UK.