China is suspected of carrying out long-term cyber-espionage operations targeting the mobile communications of senior British government officials, compromising discussions at the highest levels of Downing Street, the UK newspaper The Telegraph has reported.
According to the report, the targets included close aides to former UK prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.
Hacking Campaign Began in 2021, Discovered in 2024
The alleged cyberattacks are believed to have started as early as 2021, but were only uncovered in 2024, after US intelligence agencies warned that China-linked hacking groups had gained access to telecommunications infrastructure worldwide.
The operation, known as “Salt Typhoon”, is described by US sources as still active, raising concerns that communications of current Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his close circle may also have been compromised.
Telecom Infrastructure Targeted, Not Individual Devices
Sources cited by The Telegraph say the hackers did not directly attack individual phones, but instead infiltrated telecommunications networks, allowing access to:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Metadata
- Location data
This potentially affected millions of users, including senior government officials.
MI5 Warning and Diplomatic Sensitivities
In November, the UK intelligence service MI5 warned Parliament about a serious threat posed by Chinese espionage.
The revelations come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to visit China, marking the first visit by a UK prime minister since 2018, aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties.
Meanwhile, the UK government’s decision to approve the construction of a large Chinese embassy complex in London, near sensitive communications cables, has faced strong criticism. Opponents argue it poses a significant national security risk, while the Labour Party has been accused of adopting a soft stance toward Beijing.
China Denies Allegations
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied the accusations, stating that Beijing does not support cyberattacks and that China itself is frequently targeted by such activities. The UK government, for its part, has declined to comment further on the espionage claims.
