German officials say an investigation into a 2021 cyberattack on the country’s national office for cartography has found that “Chinese state actors” were responsible for the attack. In response, Germany’s Foreign Ministry has summoned China’s ambassador for the first time since 1989, after the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said the German government has “reliable information from our intelligence services” on the source of the attack.
“State-controlled Chinese cyber actors had infiltrated the network of the agency for espionage purposes,” Fischer said.
“We resolutely oppose such cyber activities directed against Germany and advocate responsible and rules-based behavior in cyberspace,” he said.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement that Germany has “significantly increased our protection” against similar types of threats.
“We call on China to refrain from and prevent such cyberattacks. These cyberattacks threaten the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe,” she said.
Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy is an important resource for multiple state and private organizations, according to a government ministry statement.
Ties between Germany and China have long been seen as strong, but tensions between Berlin and Beijing have grown in recent years over worries about China’s authoritarian tendencies, business practices and potential security risks.
Tensions have ticked up even more recently following the arrest in April of four people, including an aide to a German lawmaker, on suspicion of spying for China.
In early 2024, several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, called out China for its state-sponsored hacking record.
Last year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came up with a strategic plan regarding relations with China, referring to a “systemic rivalry” and the need to reduce economic dependence on Beijing while still maintaining trade ties and working with China on climate change challenges.
