Roundup: Chinese state-sponsored hacking in the headlines
27 March 2024
This week, the news of a Chinese state-sponsored cyber hack on New Zealand parliamentary systems has swept the headlines.
On Tuesday (March 26), Judith Collins, the minister responsible for spy agency GCSB, released a statement that New Zealand's Parliamentary Service and Parliamentary Counsel Office had both been targeted in a cyber attack in 2021.
She said the attack had been attributed to “a PRC state-sponsored group known as APT40”.
The Chinese embassy has rejected the accusations the attack was state-sponsored.
As the story unfolds, we bring you a roundup of reports and analysis on the news:
Parliament network breached in China-led cyberattack, Judith Collins reveals - RNZ
The government does not plan to launch sanctions against China after confirming a cyberattack targeted two Parliamentary agencies in 2021.
Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity - Foreign Minister Winston Peters statement
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.
Government outing Chinese hacking in the ‘national interest’ - The Post
The Government has decided outing China's hacking of New Zealand's democratic institutions is in the “national interest”, risking the country’s most valuable trading relationship to line up with the United Kingdom and United States.
Alistair Crozier: NZ China Council Executive Director says the issue of the cyberattack on Parliament can be worked out - Newstalk ZB
New Zealand China Council Executive Director Alistair Crozier said New Zealand has always had its own unique approach to China. He told Mike Hosking that the issue can be worked out.
China’s democracy hack adds to problem areas for NZ - Newsroom
Concern about China’s state-sponsored hacking is far from new – but its decision to target New Zealand’s parliamentary systems has prompted a pointed response and could further sour public opinions of the Asian superpower.
Christopher Luxon says 'no evidence' China interfered in NZ election after hacking scandal - Newshub
The Government has revealed Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached parliamentary networks in 2021. But Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says there's "no evidence" China has interfered in our elections.
New Zealand joins the US and the UK in alleging it was targeted by China-backed cyberespionage - AP
New Zealand’s allegation comes a day after American and British authorities announced a set of criminal charges and sanctions against seven hackers, all believed to be living in China, who targeted U.S. officials, journalists, corporations and pro-democracy activists, as well as the U.K.’s election watchdog.
