The Czech Republic on Wednesday blamed China for a cyberattack targeting a communications network used by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials in Prague said the campaign commenced in 2022 against “Czech critical infrastructure.”

The attack was launched by APT31, a cyberespionage group associated with China’s Ministry of State Security. Multiple Czech security agencies conducted probes that led to a “high degree of certainty” that Beijing was behind the cyberattack, officials said.

“The Government of the Czech Republic strongly condemns this malicious cyber campaign against its critical infrastructure,” government officials said in a statement. “Such behavior undermines the credibility of the People’s Republic of China and contradicts its public declarations.”

Prague said Beijing’s cyber activities were “contrary to the norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace.”

“We call on the People’s Republic of China to adhere to these norms and principles, to refrain from such attacks, and to take all appropriate measures to address this situation,” Czech officials said.

NATO officials said they “strongly condemn” cyberattacks meant to damage national security and democratic institutions.

“The malicious cyber activity targeting the Czech Republic underscores that cyberspace is contested at all times,” NATO said in a statement. “We observe with increasing concern the growing pattern of malicious cyber activities stemming from the People’s Republic of China.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.