The Czech Republic summoned China's ambassador on May 28, 2025, in response to a cyberattack that targeted the country’s Foreign Ministry. Czech officials attributed the intrusion to APT31, a cyberespionage group linked to China's Ministry of State Security.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský condemned the hostile actions, emphasizing their serious implications for bilateral relations between the two nations. "I summoned the Chinese ambassador to make clear that such hostile actions have serious consequences for our bilateral relations," Lipavský stated on social media platform X.
The attack, which began in 2022, was directed at one of the Foreign Ministry's unclassified networks. According to an official ministry statement, extensive investigations led to a strong conclusion regarding the perpetrators, identifying the involvement of APT31.
"We detected the attackers during the intrusion," Lipavský said, underscoring the government’s awareness and monitoring of the cyber threat.
The Czech Security Information Office's (BIS) 2024 annual report also highlighted China as a significant security threat. The report noted that the Chinese embassy in Prague focuses on gathering intelligence related to the Czech political landscape.
In a formal call, the Czech Foreign Ministry urged the People's Republic of China to desist from such cyberattacks and take all necessary measures to prevent future incidents.
