Czech Republic blames China for cyberattack on foreign ministry

Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10:15 am

Czech Republic Accuses China of Cyberattack, Drawing Condemnation from NATO and EU

The Czech Republic has publicly accused China of orchestrating a "malicious cyber campaign" targeting its foreign ministry's unclassified network. The attack, which began in 2022, impacted a critical infrastructure institution and was attributed to APT31, a China-backed hacking group.

The Czech government, after an "extensive investigation," identified the People's Republic of China as responsible. While details about the attack remain scarce, the Czech foreign ministry condemned the actions, stating they "undermine the credibility of the People's Republic of China."

APT31, known for its state-sponsored cyberattacks, has been linked to numerous attacks globally. In late March, seven Chinese nationals were charged in the United States for their involvement with the group, which has targeted critics of the Chinese government, businesses, and political figures over the past 14 years.

Following the Czech Republic's announcement, both NATO and the European Union expressed their concern. NATO, while not directly blaming China, acknowledged the Czech accusation and noted a growing pattern of malicious cyber activities originating from China. The EU echoed these concerns, highlighting similar attacks targeting its member states and urging China to take action against such activities. The EU has repeatedly raised its concerns with China in bilateral engagements.

BNN's Perspective: This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding cybersecurity and the complex relationship between China and the West. While the Czech Republic's accusations are serious, the lack of specific details about the attack underscores the challenges of attributing cyberattacks and the need for international cooperation to address this growing threat. The measured responses from NATO and the EU reflect the delicate balance of condemning the actions while avoiding escalation.

Keywords: Czech Republic, China, cyberattack, APT31, foreign ministry, hacking, NATO, EU, cybersecurity, malicious cyber campaign, Beijing, cyber security, cyber warfare, state-sponsored, Prague, cyber threat, international relations.

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