UPDATE - Czech Republic holds China responsible for cyberattacks on Foreign Ministry’s network

UPDATES WITH MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY FROM NATO, OTHER COUNTRIES

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Czech Republic on Wednesday held China responsible for cyberattacks on its Foreign Ministry’s network.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said they have determined that the most recent attack on the ministry’s network came from Chinese hackers.

“I have summoned the Chinese ambassador to make the Chinese side understand that such activities have serious implications for bilateral relations,” on X.

Also commenting on the development, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “Today, the EU holds a Chinese state-backed actor responsible for a malicious cyber campaign targeting Czechia.”

“This is a clear and unacceptable violation of international norms,” she added.

Moreover, NATO North Atlantic Council, the alliance's principal political decision-making body, expressed solidarity with the Czech Republic.

"We strongly condemn malicious cyber activities intended to undermine our national security, democratic institutions and critical infrastructure. The malicious cyber activity targeting the Czech Republic underscores that cyberspace is contested at all times. We observe with increasing concern the growing pattern of malicious cyber activities stemming from the People’s Republic of China," the statement read.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK also issued statements on X, expressing solidarity with Czech Republic and condemning the attacks.