Finland’s government communication networks have reportedly experienced large-scale hacking by foreign intelligence agents and the local media said that China and Russia are suspected for the attack.

According to Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja, the breach of the country’s Foreign Ministry’s data network was exposed in spring, while intelligence service had been probing the issue.

"I can confirm there has been a severe and large hacking in the ministry’s data network," Tuomioja said.

Reuters cited reports from the Finnish TV station that hackers had gained access to the agency’s network for years and appear to have focused on communications between Finnish and European Union officials.

The latest report comes in the midst of a global disagreement over claims that the US NSA collected information on millions of phone calls in Europe and spied on leaders of chief US allies such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

However, the US and other Western nations have often put blame on Russia and China of hacking into their computer networks, targeting both firms and government units.