US: "China Hires Hackers for Cyber Attacks"... Joint Response with Allies

U.S. President Joe Biden (Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The United States recently attributed cyberattacks, including the hacking of Microsoft (MS), to China and declared a joint response with its allies. As the U.S. continues to intensify pressure on China?issuing warnings about China-related risks to its companies operating in Hong Kong?the two countries’ tensions are escalating with the U.S. hinting at additional measures in cyberspace.

According to Bloomberg and other sources on the 19th (local time), the White House identified the Chinese government as responsible for various cyberattacks earlier this year, including the hacking targeting MS’s email and messaging platform, Exchange.

It also stated that the Chinese government is involved behind ransomware attacks, data theft, and cryptojacking (installing malware to mine cryptocurrency) targeting U.S. public institutions and private companies.

In a briefing released that day, the White House condemned, saying, "China’s irresponsible behavior in cyberspace contradicts its stated goal of becoming a responsible leader in the world."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed out, "The United States and countries worldwide are holding China accountable for its irresponsible, destructive, and destabilizing behavior patterns in cyberspace," adding, "This poses a significant threat to national security and the economy."

The U.S.-led statement was joined by the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and others. The New York Times (NYT) reported that it is unusual for China’s major trading partners to participate in openly criticizing China. A senior U.S. administration official explained, "This is the largest coalition condemning China’s cyberattacks, and notably, it is the first time NATO has publicly criticized China’s cybercrimes."

However, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted that the joint response does not include punitive measures such as sanctions or diplomatic expulsions against China. WSJ reported, "This contrasts with the Biden administration’s recent approach to Russian cybercrimes."

Dimitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Washington-based think tank Silverado Policy Accelerator, criticized, "Not specifying what consequences China will face appears to be a double standard."

In response to such criticism, a senior U.S. official emphasized, "There is no single measure that can change the Chinese government’s malicious cyber behavior. The current U.S. goal is to unite many countries to take a joint stance."

When asked by reporters at the White House about the biggest difference between hacking led by China and Russia, U.S. President Joe Biden pointed out, "Unlike the Russian government, the Chinese government does not act directly but hires contracted hackers."

The White House stressed that China does not attempt to resolve crimes committed by contracted hackers, causing governments and companies worldwide to lose billions of dollars due to intellectual property theft, and confirmed cases where hackers affiliated with the Chinese government launched ransomware attacks on private companies demanding millions of dollars in ransom.

The White House also announced that the Department of Justice plans to indict four hackers affiliated with China’s Ministry of State Security. These individuals have attacked governments and critical infrastructure institutions, including defense industries, in more than 12 countries over several years and even attempted to steal Ebola vaccine technology.

The WSJ described this U.S.-led joint statement as the most significant action regarding China’s cyberattacks that have continued for years. Foreign media reported that as the U.S.-China conflict, which began in trade, intensifies and expands into technology, military, and cyberspace domains, tensions between the two countries are escalating.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.