UK's pernicious manipulation of cybersecurity

The UK government's decision on Tuesday to impose sanctions on two Chinese companies is an irresponsible and unconstructive approach to its relations with China. Its "political manipulation under the pretext of cybersecurity", as rightly described by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Wednesday, risks undermining the potential for productive engagement between the two countries.

The move, ostensibly on the grounds of so-called "cyberattacks" linked to the Chinese government, is fundamentally spreading disinformation out of a political agenda. Such politicization of the cybersecurity issue is a dangerous wrongdoing that not only intends to distort the nature of cybersecurity challenges faced by nations, but also diverts attention from the necessary cooperative efforts needed to address them.

China strongly deplores the move and firmly rejects the United Kingdom's politicizing of cybersecurity. It has lodged serious protests with the UK, and has urged the country to work with it to take concrete actions to jointly uphold peace, stability and prosperity in cyberspace.

As the world faces common challenges in cybersecurity, the UK's double standard on the issue is not conducive to addressing them.

As Guo said, it needs to be noted that the UK was one of the springboards that the United States National Security Agency used to launch cyberattacks on China's National Time Service Center, which China thwarted earlier this year.

Given the global political climate and the Five Eyes alliance led by the United States, it should come as no surprise that China is a major victim of cyberattacks. But by aligning itself with the US' cyber activities targeting China, the UK government not only risks exacerbating tensions in a domain that requires mutual trust but impeding necessary collaboration to make cyberspace a safe place for all.

China has consistently committed to combating illegal cyber activities within the framework of international law and has repeatedly urged countries to join hands with it to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace. This call reflects China's view that digital connectivity is a public good, not a privilege or power lever to be controlled by a handful of global tech companies.

Since China proposed the concept in 2015, the country has been putting the core principles of a community with a shared future in cyberspace — security, openness, cooperation and inclusiveness — into practice through various means, notably the Digital Silk Road, the digital component of the Belt and Road Initiative, which focuses on digital connectivity, knowledge sharing and digital governance initiatives.

The timing of the UK's sanctions is particularly perplexing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently expressed the hope that he will be able to visit China at the end of January next year, in what would be the first visit to the country by a British leader in seven years. He has also publicly acknowledged the importance of engaging with China, recognizing the potential for economic collaboration as well as cooperation in areas such as financial services, climate change and artificial intelligence. Starmer even launched a TikTok account on Monday despite the app being banned from UK government devices.

However, the imposition of these sanctions sends a contradictory message, one that suggests the UK's foreign policy is subject to the will of its ally.

Moreover, the UK's move comes at a time when it is delaying the approval of a new Chinese embassy in London, citing unfounded security concerns. This delay, coupled with the sanctions, points to a broader reluctance to foster a relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.

China's response to these sanctions has been measured yet firm, and it has made it clear that it will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies abroad.

Cyberspace is fraught with challenges that no single nation can deal with alone. The UK should contribute to a more stable and secure cyberspace for the good of all by working with China.

The UK should mend its ways by correcting its wrongdoing, retracting its misguided sanctions and committing to a path of dialogue and cooperation. This is the rational way to serve its own interests and address its cyberspace concerns.