UK Investigates Potential Chinese Role in Foreign Office Cyberattack
In October, the UK Foreign Office experienced a significant cyberattack, which British officials suspect was orchestrated by state-backed actors from China.
The breach was initially reported by the Sun newspaper, revealing that a group linked to Beijing had gained access to thousands of sensitive documents. During a series of broadcast interviews on Friday, Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed the occurrence of the attack but reassured the public that the risk to individuals remains low.
“We believe that we managed to close the loophole, or the gap, pretty quickly,” Bryant stated during an interview with BBC TV. “We think that it’s a fairly low risk that individuals will have been compromised or affected.”
Read more: Denmark Blames Russia for Cyberattacks on Utility That Left Houses Without Water
While Bryant did not confirm the authorship of the hack or any potential Chinese involvement, unnamed British officials indicated that actors associated with the Chinese state are suspected. However, they are not yet prepared to make a formal attribution.
“We have been working to investigate a cyber incident,” the UK government stated. “We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.”
This incident, which has been under investigation since October, occurs during a period when the UK is attempting to recalibrate its relationship with China. Recent years have seen tensions rise due to various hacks, espionage activities, and Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, a former British colony.
The Labour government’s official stance is to cooperate, compete, and challenge China, aiming to harness the benefits of trade with the world’s second-largest economy while safeguarding against security threats.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently criticized the conviction of former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, yet he is scheduled to travel to China next month for his first official visit as premier.
“It is absolutely clear that Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the authorities,” Starmer stated in the House of Commons on Wednesday. “It is wrongful, and I call it out. It is important that we continue to engage, so that we can raise this issue with those counterparts.”
Another point of contention has been the repeated delays by the UK regarding a final decision on whether to approve a proposed new Chinese Embassy in London. This mission is set to be the largest in Europe, located near the heart of London’s financial center and close to sensitive fiber-optic cables.
The October hack follows a series of other breaches affecting UK firms, including Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer, both of which experienced significant disruptions earlier in the year. Referring to these incidents, Bryant remarked that such cyberattacks are now “a part of modern life that we have to tackle and deal with.”
Photograph: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, left, and the Treasury, right, stand in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. Photo credit: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg
Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
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In October, the UK Foreign Office experienced a significant cyberattack, which British officials suspect was orchestrated by state-backed actors from China.
The breach was initially reported by the Sun newspaper, revealing that a group linked to Beijing had gained access to thousands of sensitive documents. During a series of broadcast interviews on Friday, Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed the occurrence of the attack but reassured the public that the risk to individuals remains low.
“We believe that we managed to close the loophole, or the gap, pretty quickly,” Bryant stated during an interview with BBC TV. “We think that it’s a fairly low risk that individuals will have been compromised or affected.”
Read more: Denmark Blames Russia for Cyberattacks on Utility That Left Houses Without Water
While Bryant did not confirm the authorship of the hack or any potential Chinese involvement, unnamed British officials indicated that actors associated with the Chinese state are suspected. However, they are not yet prepared to make a formal attribution.
“We have been working to investigate a cyber incident,” the UK government stated. “We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.”
This incident, which has been under investigation since October, occurs during a period when the UK is attempting to recalibrate its relationship with China. Recent years have seen tensions rise due to various hacks, espionage activities, and Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, a former British colony.
The Labour government’s official stance is to cooperate, compete, and challenge China, aiming to harness the benefits of trade with the world’s second-largest economy while safeguarding against security threats.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently criticized the conviction of former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, yet he is scheduled to travel to China next month for his first official visit as premier.
“It is absolutely clear that Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the authorities,” Starmer stated in the House of Commons on Wednesday. “It is wrongful, and I call it out. It is important that we continue to engage, so that we can raise this issue with those counterparts.”
Another point of contention has been the repeated delays by the UK regarding a final decision on whether to approve a proposed new Chinese Embassy in London. This mission is set to be the largest in Europe, located near the heart of London’s financial center and close to sensitive fiber-optic cables.
The October hack follows a series of other breaches affecting UK firms, including Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer, both of which experienced significant disruptions earlier in the year. Referring to these incidents, Bryant remarked that such cyberattacks are now “a part of modern life that we have to tackle and deal with.”
Photograph: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, left, and the Treasury, right, stand in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. Photo credit: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg
Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
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