The European Union and NATO have expressed strong solidarity with the Czech Republic following an alleged cyberattack by Chinese-linked hackers targeting the Czech Foreign Ministry.

According to a statement from the EU, the Czech government identified the perpetrators as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31), a hacking group reportedly associated with China’s Ministry of State Security. The attack took place in 2022, the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed.

The statement noted, “In recent years, malicious cyber activities linked to this country and targeting the EU and its member states have increased,” the EU’s 27 member states in a joint statement. The EU strongly condemned the cyberattack and urged China to cease such actions, reaffirming its commitment to preventing, deterring, and responding to malicious cyber behaviour. The European Union…stands ready to take further action when necessary.’’.

“NATO issued a separate statement echoing the EU’s concerns, calling the cyberattack “malicious activity intended to undermine our national security, democratic institutions, and critical infrastructure”.

“The cyber activity targeting the Czech Republic underscores that cyberspace is contested at all times,” NATO said, pointing to an increasing pattern of hostile actions traced to the People’s Republic of China.

NATO allies reaffirmed their determination to expose and counter growing cyber threats. “We are committed to improving our capabilities and resilience and will use all necessary tools to deter, defend against, and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats,” the statement said.

(dpa/NAN)