Why China is Australia’s number one suspect in campaign of ‘sophisticated’ cyber attacks

While nations including Russia, North Korea and Iran have been accused of illicit cyber operations in the past, it is China with the incentive to target Australia now, writes Kim Sengupta

Scott Morrison speaks at a press conference in Canberra on Friday (AP)

The Chinese government has been swift to deny that it was behind the sustained and wide-ranging cyber attack targeting the government, businesses and emergency services in Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison blamed a “sophisticated state actor” for the attack but declined to name the state allegedly involved. But Australia’s intelligence agency as well as those of some other western states have privately stated that they believe Beijing was culpable.

Russia, North Korea and Iran have been among other countries which have been accused of illicit cyber operations, and even allies have carried out cyber espionage on each other. But, it is China which has the incentive for carrying out this campaign in Australia.