China blamed after cyberattack hits Czech Republic

The European Union has said it stands in solidarity with the Czech Republic after the country identified China as being responsible for a "malicious cyber campaign" within its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prague
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The attack allegedly targeted a network used for unclassified communication at the government ministry.

China has rejected the accusations.

"The European Union and its Member States, together with international partners, stand in solidarity with Czechia regarding the malicious cyber campaign that targeted its Ministry of Foreign Affairs," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a statement.

EU member states have increasingly been the target of cyber attacks from China in recent years, and China should do more to prevent them, the European Union added.

Kallas said the EU condemned these attacks, which she said were contrary to internationally agreed-upon norms on how states should behave in cyberspace.

"We call upon all states, including China, to refrain from such behaviour," she said. "States should not allow their territory to be used for malicious cyber activities."

Kallas said the EU was ready to take further action if needed to prevent, deter or respond to malicious behaviour in cyberspace.