China's Actions Spark Global Concern, World Unites to Counter

International cybersecurity agencies are urging organisations around the world to develop stronger defences as threats from hackers affiliated with China intensify.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is calling on organisations globally to unite against the covert networks used by Chinese hackers in their operations.

The NCSC has published new guidance in partnership with industry and 15 international partners across eight countries: the United States (US), Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain.

According to the NCSC, these covert networks typically consist of vulnerable everyday devices connected to the internet, such as home routers and smart devices.

These networks are used to target critical sectors globally, steal sensitive data, and maintain persistent access.

“In recent years, we have seen a shift by China-based cyber groups in exploiting these networks to conceal malicious activity and evade accountability,” said NCSC operational director Paul Chichester, quoted from Reuters on Friday (24/4/2026).

China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

The new guidance issued by the NCSC and its partners, including the FBI, warns that attacks from China tend to be difficult to detect because evidence is quickly erased.

This warning comes a day after NCSC chief Richard Horne cautioned the UK to prepare for an increase in direct or indirect cyber attacks from other nations, including China, Iran, and Russia.

He stated that his agency handles around four significant national cyber incidents each week on average. The most impactful attacks are increasingly linked to governments rather than ordinary criminal gangs.

The UK has also asked leading AI companies to collaborate with the government to build AI-based cyber defence capabilities to protect critical national infrastructure.