The Czech Republic has accused China of standing behind a cyberattack against a ministry in Prague
The Czech Republic accused China of Wednesday for being responsible for « malicious cybercampan » aimed at a network used for unclassified communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but China has dismissed the accusations.
The Chinese Embassy in Prague urged the Czech side to terminate « diplomacy in front of microphones ».
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The attacks began during the EU Presidency in 2022 and were carried out by the APT31 Cyberspion Group, according to a statement by the Czech government. The Czech Republic, an EU country and a NATO member, said the APT31 was publicly linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavski said that after the opening of the attack, the ministry implemented a new communication system with improved security in 2024.
« I called the Chinese ambassador to explain that such hostile actions have serious consequences for our bilateral relations, » he said.
Lipavski said the attacks were focused on emails and other documents and focused on information relating to Asia.
« The government of the Czech Republic categorically condemns this malicious cybercampan against its critically important infrastructure, » the government said.
| The Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic expressed « strong concern and decisive disagreement » with the accusations. « We urge the Czech side to immediately correct its incorrect action (s) to stop the » microphone diplomacy, « the Embassy’s website said. On the APT31 website, China has been said to have repeatedly conducted technical analyzes showing that the relevant evidence is insufficient and the conclusions for the group are not professional. |
NATO and the European Union said they were jointly and severally with the Czech Republic, while the UK called the activity disturbing and the United States condemned actions.
« This is another case of a harmful cyberative coming from the APT31, and we urge China to behave responsibly in cyberspace, respecting its international engagements, » the US Embassy in Prague said.
EU Member States are increasingly being targeted by China in recent years and China has to do more to prevent them, the European Union said on Wednesday. « We are calling on all countries, including China, to refrain from such behavior, » said EU High Representative of Foreign Policy, Kaya Calas. « States should not allow their territory to be used for malicious cyberative. »
