Chinese Hackers Breached US Government Email Systems, Potentially Impacting Secretary of State’s Visit to Beijing
The Biden administration has revealed that a Chinese hacking operation breached US government email systems, including the State Department, leading up to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing in June. Two US officials stated that the hack, discovered around the same time as Blinken’s visit, provided the Chinese government with insights into US thinking. However, it was initially unclear that China was behind the attack, and the news was not widely known within the State Department.
The revelation highlights the complexities of modern diplomacy and the ongoing issue of cyber espionage between global powers. While US officials are well aware that major nations spy on each other, the breach before a crucial visit intended to reset US-China relations is worrisome. The Biden administration has not disclosed how it intends to respond to China’s hacking operation, emphasizing that the incident remains under investigation.
Secretary Blinken, during a news conference in Indonesia, stated, “Any action that targets US government or US companies, American citizens is of deep concern to us, and we will take appropriate action in response.” US officials consistently label China as the most advanced adversary in cyberspace, with the FBI noting that Beijing has a larger hacking program compared to all other governments combined.
China has routinely denied the hacking allegations and has accused US intelligence agencies of conducting their own cyber-espionage against Chinese assets. The leaked documents by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden a decade ago suggested that the NSA extensively infiltrated Chinese telecom company Huawei’s equipment for intelligence purposes.
The breach only accessed information from an unclassified system, limiting the amount China could learn. Nonetheless, it provided the Chinese government with additional knowledge from private discussions among US officials ahead of Blinken’s visit. In addition to Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is expected to visit China soon, raising concerns about the impact of the hacking operation on her trip.
The State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the breach. Secretary Blinken addressed the issue during a meeting with Chinese official Wang Yi, ensuring that any action targeting the US government or citizens is a significant concern. However, no specifics were provided about the extent of the hack’s discussion or the response from either side.
The incident is a reminder of the ongoing cyber threat faced by governments and the need for constant monitoring and security updates. The State Department detected the anomalous activity in June and took immediate steps to secure the system and inform Microsoft. Cybersecurity policy prohibits detailed discussion of the response, and investigations are ongoing to hold those responsible accountable.