PRAGUE - The Czech Republic has officially accused China of conducting a "malicious cyber campaign" against its Foreign Ministry, escalating tensions between the two nations. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský summoned the Chinese ambassador to Prague on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, to address the serious allegations [1][2][3].

According to Czech officials, the cyberattacks have been ongoing since 2022, targeting one of the unclassified communication networks of the Foreign Ministry [2][3]. The Czech government attributes these attacks to the Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31) hacking group, which they claim is associated with the Chinese Ministry of State Security [1][2].

"I summoned the Chinese ambassador to make clear that such hostile actions have serious consequences for our bilateral relations," Lipavský stated on social media [2][3]. The Foreign Ministry in Prague emphasized that their investigation "led to a high degree of certainty about the responsible actor" [3].

While the specific information seized or the extent of the damage caused by the attacks remains unclear, the Czech Foreign Ministry has already implemented a new communication system as a precautionary measure [1]. The ministry called on the People's Republic of China to "refrain from such attacks and to take all appropriate measures to address this situation" [2].

This incident highlights the growing concerns over state-sponsored cyberattacks and their potential impact on international relations. As a member of both the European Union and NATO, the Czech Republic's accusation against China could have broader implications for diplomatic and security relationships in the region [2].

The Czech Republic's public stance against these alleged Chinese cyberattacks demonstrates the increasing willingness of nations to confront and publicly attribute such activities to state actors. As cybersecurity becomes an ever more critical aspect of national security, similar confrontations may become more frequent on the global stage.