A French security official told AFP that their information systems were targeted by an attacke traced back to China.

The news comes just days after similar attacks on US, British and German systems were reported.

"We have proof that there is involvement with China. But I am prudent. When I say China, this does not mean the Chinese government. We don't have any indication now that it it was done by the Chinese People's Liberation Army," said Francis Delon, Secretary-General of National Defence.

When asked which systems were attacked Delon said they "concerned the services of the state", but it appears that the French defence ministry's public Internet site was targeted, so no classified data was ever under threat.