IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok

China’s struggle against cyber-attacks originating in South Asia

Recent developments
On 5 November, Global Times reported that multiple cyber-attacks in the country had been traced back to India. On 2 November, another report published by Global Times reported that in the previous two years, the number of cyber-attacks from India rose exponentially. In an interview with 360 Security Technology, the tech giant revealed that multiple hackers from India were targeting multiple sectors in China and also individual businesses through their cyber-attacks. The report also accused the Indian government and its intelligence of supporting Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups consisting of hackers. According to the Chinese media and tech giants, these groups target important governmental infrastructure projects and other institutional departments. Anity Labs from China said: “Since March, we have detected several phishing activities targeting government, defense and military units, as well as state-owned enterprises in China, Pakistan, and Nepal.”

Statistics provided by Global Times
According to the data collected by 360 Security Technology, approximately 100 payloads were captured by the company for involvement in fraudulent activities in the last year. A majority of these cases originated from India. In 2021, the APTs have been enthusiastically attacking educational institutions, government departments, aerospace industries, and the Chinese national defense and military sectors as all sections have switched to the virtual mode of functioning after the advent of the coronavirus pandemic. The report also accused India of targeting institutions and organizations associated with the government in Pakistan and Nepal. Although the government was able to catch a number of the attacks before it took place, many APTs regrouped during the space launches this year to attack the aerospace sector. Although these accusations have been made by the Chinese tech giants and are being propagated by the Chinese media, the reports fail to prove the involvement of the Indian government in the fraudulent cyber-attacks.

State response to the cyber threats
In order to protect the data and the integrity of the Chinese companies and individual users, the state is taking concrete steps by bringing changes to its laws dealing with cyberspace. During the 31st session of the 13th National People’s Congress Standing Committee the state earnestly attempted to reform the laws related to cyber security in order to get a better hold of the numerous cyber frauds. China. According to the new amendment, Chinese internet regulators must be able to track anonymous users to their real identities and also have a restriction on the sharing of user data with foreign entities.

The People’s Republic of China understands the possibilities of weaponizing cyberspace and the consequences of losing out on data to foreign countries. Acknowledging the likelihood of the next war being held in a virtual space, the country is taking all steps to solidify its cyber security and protecting its people from unlawful theft of data that may harm their identities and cause complications to China’s economic and political development.

References:
“GT investigates: Hacking China's medical institutes at COVID-19 outbreak, targeting aerospace firms during China's space missions – Cyberattacks from India disclosed,” Global Times, 5 November 2021
“Exclusive: Hacking from India rose in past 2 years, targeted China's medical industry using forged physical examination forms at the beginning of epidemic,” Global Politics, 2 November 2021
“China’s Big Tech platforms face more responsibility in ‘cyberspace civilisation’ push that seeks more online control,” South China Morning Post, 17 September 2021

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Cold wave alarms ring through China as winter seeps in
On 7 November, China’s National Meteorological Centre issued the first snowstorm orange alert of the season. This is the second highest level warning for snowstorms. The weather agency forecasted blizzards in northeastern China. Nationwide, cold snaps have been felt and the capital Beijing received its first snowfall 23 days earlier than usual. The weather agency warned against traffic disruptions and flu outbreaks due to snowing in the country. Piling up of snow due to COVID-19 lockdowns and the increased chances of flu outbreaks amid rising COVID-19 cases has concerned local bodies. (“China issues winter's first snowstorm orange alert, cold snap sweeps country,” Reuters, 7 November 2021)

Xinhua profiles President Xi Jinping as great leader ahead of CPC meeting
On 6 November, Xinhua Net, China’s state news agency, praised President Xi Jinping to be tireless, selfless and scholarly servant of the people before an important Communist Party of China meeting. Xi is "a man of determination and action, a man of profound thoughts and feelings, a man who inherited a legacy and dares to innovate, and a man who has forward-looking vision and is committed to working tirelessly," Xinhua said. The meeting is to take place on Monday with more than 300 members and many experts suspect this to be a key meeting for securing Xi into an unprecedented third term as president. The meeting is also expected to pass a “historical resolution” on the important achievements of the Party’s 100 years of struggle. (“Profile: Xi Jinping, the man who leads CPC on new journey,” Xinhua Net, 6 November 20021; “China's Xinhua lauds Xi ahead of key Communist Party meeting,” Reuters, 6 November 2021)

China reports new 50 COVID-19 cases in nine provinces
On 7 November, China reported 50 new COVID-19 cases across nine provinces indicating one of the country’s biggest outbreaks in 2021. The Chinese authorities are “ring-facing” Beijing to prevent the spillover before the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. The outbreak is fuelled by the highly infectious Delta variant and its mutants reaching 20 mainland provinces across China. (“China’s latest Covid-19 outbreak continues with 50 new cases,” South China Morning Post, 7 November 2021: “China reports 74 new Covid-19 cases as outbreak continues to grow,” The Strait Times, 7 November 2021)

China kicks off the sixth plenary session under CPC Central Committee
On 8 November, the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China began wherein President Xi Jinping delivered a report on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The document looks at the major events in 2021 as the Party celebrates the 100-year history and further reinforcing unity among the party members with Xi Jinping at its core leadership. In the speech, Xi said “Looking back on the Party’s 100-year history, we can see why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future. This will ensure that we act with greater resolve and purpose in staying true to our founding mission and pursuing a better future on the new journey that lies before us.” (“19th CPC Central Committee kicks off sixth plenary session, to table landmark resolution,” Global Times, 8 November 2021)

TECHNOLOGY
Shenzhou-13 module taikonauts successfully complete first spacewalk
On 7 November, China Manned Space Agency announced that taikonauts from the Tianhe module successfully completed their first spacewalk which lasted about six-and-a-half hours. The two Shenzhou-13 members conducted the first spacewalk of the mission and third of the country. According to CMSA, the spacewalk further verified the performance of the spacesuit with robotic arm and supporting equipment built indigenously in China. This spacewalk also makes Wang Yaping the first woman in the country to walk in space, registering a historic moment. (Deng Xiaoci, Fan Wei and Huang Lanian, “Update: Shenzhou-13 crew delivers first spacewalk; Wang Yaping becomes first Chinese woman to walk in space,” Global Times, 7 November 2021)

ECONOMY
October exports and trade surplus remain strong for China
On 7 November, China’s customs agency said that the exports of the country were up 27.1 per cent from a year ago, totalling to USD 300.2 billion. The agency also said that imports also rose by 20.6 per cent from the previous year. Although the numbers are a bit lower than for the previous month, September, they are still healthy. China’s economic growth has slowed since the pandemic however, the numbers have suggested some positive escalation. An increased trade surplus is also good news for the recovering economy which is currently facing COVID-19 lockdown again and lost production capacities due to power shortage. (“China's exports stay strong, trade surplus tops $80 billion,” The Asahi Shimbun, 7 November 2021)

REGIONAL
PLA sends 16 fighter jets to Taiwan’s ADIZ
On 7 November, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported that the People’s Liberation Army sent 16 aircraft into Taiwan’s air defence zone on 6 November. The Ministry confirmed 16 PLA aircraft – 10 J – 16 fighter jets and six j-10 fighters – entered Taiwan’s ADIZ. Taipei’s air force issued radio warnings and activated its air defence missile systems to monitor the interventions. According to the ministry, the PLA has intervened with warplane sorties into Taiwan’s ADIZ since October. (“Beijing sends 16 fighter jets towards Taiwan,” South China Morning Post, 7 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Russian deputy envoy makes a statement on the AUKUS pact
On 7 November, Global Times reported that Russia has supported Beijing’s concerns on the AUKUS pact. In the recent UN General Assembly First Committee, the Russian Deputy Permanent to the UN Office Andrei Belousov who represented Moscow said, “that they are legitimate concerns as this kind of cooperation is related to the nuclear field and clearly has a military dimension.” According to TASS Belousov stated, “One needs to get full information on the matter to draw conclusions and raise questions about the initiative's possible impact on security and nuclear non-proliferation and figure out if the partnership is in line with the obligations that its members have under various international agreements.”(“Russian deputy UN envoy supports China’s concern on AUKUS’ nuclear threat,” Global Times, 7 November 2021)