China-UK relations under strain after cyber attacks

Dr Scott Edwards, a researcher in UK-Asia relations and cyber security, said:

"The nature of a cyber attack, which is usually masked by techniques of varying complexity, means that it can be difficult to point the finger of blame at a specific actor. It often takes months of forensic analysis by specialists looking at millions of lines of computer code to find the fingerprints of an attacker.

“Even if an attacker can be identified, there is still a strong taboo about reporting and recognising attacks, as governments, institutions and businesses worry that this can highlight their vulnerabilities. Some victims of a cyber attack worry that talking publicly about a security breach will encourage other hackers to have a go at launching their own attacks on vulnerable computer systems. It’s a bit like taking out an advert in a national newspaper saying: ‘The lock on my front door is broken, and anyone can easily burgle my house.’

“Today’s announcement reflects a strong degree of confidence that China, in terms of its desire and capability to attack institutions like the Electoral Commission and individual Members of Parliament, could pose a threat to democracy. Uncertainty alone about the scope of Chinese interference also poses an indirect threat, by eroding popular trust in democratic institutions in the UK and elsewhere in the West.

“By imposing limited and targeted sanctions, the UK Government is showing a growing sense of purpose to combat cyber attacks, but they will have more symbolic power than actual impact on preventing future attacks. They have been chosen so the UK can complain about China’s actions without shutting itself off from the opportunities that China, and its growing economy and influences, presents to UK interests. Britain has strong diplomatic, economic and consumer interests, for example, in maintaining open relations with China.

“What is required now is an inclusive and honest conversation about where the boundaries should lie between ‘China-as-opportunity’ and ‘China-as-threat’. This will require the UK government to spend more time engaging with its Western allies, and with businesses and population at home, to better balance our engagement in the future in a more consistent way.”