Lithuanian security services, alarming details emerge about China’s heightened intelligence campaigns targeting the country. The focus of these efforts includes recruiting local spies and utilizing cyber tools to gather sensitive information on Lithuania’s internal affairs and foreign policy. This surge in activity is notably linked to Lithuania’s decision to open the Taiwanese Representative Office in 2021, which China vehemently criticized, leading to the withdrawal of its ambassador from Vilnius.
Chinese intelligence officers are employing social networks to identify individuals suitable for espionage, often posing as representatives of various entities to approach targets discreetly. The primary interest lies in individuals with direct access to sensitive information or extensive networks among state officials, politicians, journalists, business figures, and scientists. The report underscores a shift in China’s objectives, expanding from the European Union and NATO roles to actively seeking information about Lithuania’s internal affairs, political divisions, and foreign policy.
Aside from human intelligence efforts, Chinese special services have intensified cyber-espionage campaigns against Lithuania. Threat actors associated with China routinely scan the country’s networks for vulnerabilities, aiming to breach and exfiltrate data. The report highlights a transition from previous opportunistic activities in cyberspace to a coordinated effort, signifying a serious cyber threat to Lithuanian institutions and critical infrastructure. The anticipation is that Chinese intelligence services will focus on gathering information related to the upcoming Lithuanian presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as the European Parliament election.
