China denies hyperlink to espionage group accused of attacking Singapore crucial infrastructure

The Chinese embassy in Singapore refuted claims that an espionage group accused of performing cyberattacks on Singapore’s crucial infrastructure was linked to China.

In a Facebook submit printed over the weekend, the Chinese embassy stated such claims had been “groundless smears and accusations”.

“The embassy would like to reiterate that China is firmly against and cracks down all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with law. China does not encourage, support or condone hacking activities,” it wrote on Saturday.

Last Friday, a Singapore minister stated the espionage group UNC3886 was “going after high value strategic threat targets, vital infrastructure that delivers essential services” however didn’t give particulars of the assaults.

The minister didn’t hyperlink the group to China however Google-owned cybersecurity agency Mandiant has described UNC3886 as a “China-nexus espionage group” that has attacked defence, know-how and telecommunications organisations within the United States and Asia.

Beijing routinely denies any allegations of cyberespionage, and says it opposes all types of cyberattacks and is actually a sufferer of such threats.

Singapore’s crucial infrastructure sectors embrace power, water, banking, finance, healthcare, transport, authorities, communication, media, in addition to safety and emergency companies, in accordance with the nation’s cyber company.