The report claims that for several years, a China-linked cyber group codenamed “Salt Typhoon” targeted the mobile devices of high-ranking officials at 10 Downing Street. These alleged cyberattacks took place between 2021 and 2024, spanning the tenures of former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. While it is currently unclear if the Prime Ministers’ personal phones were directly compromised, the report explicitly states that the hacking activities significantly “impacted Downing Street” and compromised sensitive communications.
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled for a high-profile three-day visit to China starting January 28. Starmer aims to meet with President Xi Jinping to mend economic ties and attract Chinese investment in sectors like automotive and finance. However, these hacking allegations, coupled with previous warnings from the British intelligence agency MI5 about Chinese espionage, threaten to escalate diplomatic tensions and overshadow the Prime Minister’s attempt to strengthen bilateral relations.
In response to similar concerns, the UK government had recently imposed sanctions on two Chinese tech companies, a move that drew sharp criticism from Beijing. China has consistently denied these allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stating that China firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of hacking in accordance with the law. Beijing has characterized such reports as the spread of “disinformation for political purposes,” while geopolitical experts suggest that the UK is now caught in a delicate balancing act between its security concerns and the need for economic cooperation with China, especially as relations with the US fluctuate.
