Czech Republic Accuses China of 2022 Cyberespionage Campaign Targeting Foreign Ministry

The Czech Republic has formally accused China of conducting a prolonged cyberespionage campaign targeting a non-classified network of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, beginning in 2022. The attack, attributed to the Chinese state-backed APT31 group linked to the Ministry of State Security, affected critical national infrastructure and involved the downloading of email communications. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský summoned the Chinese ambassador to underscore the serious consequences for bilateral relations and condemned China's interference through manipulation, propaganda, and cyberattacks. The Czech government and allied agencies, including NATO and the EU, condemned the breach of international norms and expressed solidarity with the Czech Republic. Authorities suspect the hackers may have sought personal data of ministry employees for potential blackmail or targeted operations. This incident highlights growing tensions as China’s covert cyber activities clash with diplomatic relations and international cybersecurity expectations.