The North Atlantic Council has issued a strong statement of solidarity with the Czech Republic, following a damaging cyber campaign attributed to Chinese state-sponsored actors.
The attack, targeting the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ unclassified network, has been blamed by the Czech government on APT31—a group associated with China’s Ministry of State Security.
“We stand in solidarity with the Czech Republic following the malicious cyber campaign against its Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” read the statement issued by NATO on 28 May. “We recognise that the Government of the Czech Republic has attributed the responsibility to the People’s Republic of China, specifically APT31… causing damage and disruption.”
NATO’s condemnation reflects growing concern among Allies over the persistent and escalating nature of malicious cyber activity originating from China. “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 Council reaffirmed its commitment to collective cyber defence and warned of the broader strategic implications: “Cyber threat actors persistently seek to destabilise the Alliance. We remain committed to expose and counter the substantial, continuous and increasing cyber threat, including to our democratic systems and critical infrastructure.”
The statement also stressed the importance of deterrence and resilience: “We are determined to further improve our capabilities and resilience and to employ the necessary capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.”
In a clear message directed at Beijing, the Alliance called on all states to adhere to global norms: “We call on all states, including the People’s Republic of China, to refrain from malicious cyber activities, to uphold international law… and to act within the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.”
This latest incident adds to the rising international scrutiny of China’s cyber operations, especially those aimed at undermining democratic institutions and targeting diplomatic, defence, and economic networks.
A strongly worded statement, Yes that will stop the Chinese…
😆😂😆😂🤣👏👏👏👏👏👏 I’m sure the Chinese are shaking in their boots.
Can we not do the same back to them. Make it really clear it’s an article V attack on a democratic state and alliance member. Then bring their foreign office down.
The CRINKs are busily conducting grey zone warfare across the complete spectrum of possible activities.