China, Taiwan trade accusations over cyberattacks

China and Taiwan Trade Accusations Over Cyberattacks Amid Heightened Tensions

*June 2024 – In a new escalation of cross-strait tensions, China and Taiwan have exchanged accusations of orchestrating cyberattacks against each other, according to multiple media outlets, including Reuters, the Taipei Times, AOL, and the South China Morning Post.*

The latest allegations come as both sides ramp up rhetoric in an already sensitive political environment, with each government blaming the other for a series of hacking campaigns targeting sensitive entities.

China Accuses Taiwan of Major Cyber Offensives

State media and official announcements from Beijing claim that Taiwanese authorities are backing and directing a “surge” in cyberattacks against “over 1,000 sensitive targets” on the Chinese mainland. According to a report by the [South China Morning Post](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxPMW05ZlY3dWc2NF85WVgwRWNDODJZZ1MtRkFKX2s5a0U2c2NNcE16YWFhMjZTU3BhLU4xUnZDclZTdkNhYVVZQVlnbG9ZU0ZJMHYybDVSSmZuZjY4LUR4bVV6Z3dZbTJYc1NaeG12MmVzQmJoSWgyZU9fYWRJQjZYUXktVjFTUVMzOTB4bC1HeVlEd25kMUNxeGZRdnFiTWZjOER0YWdNTWNrTVhldFBfWW85SnFqT1duR2piQXladVUybHNPamxaX3lB0gHKAUFVX3lxTE5yOFNXZDdtdGU4ci1rNU5TQ2dkWGpkVC01Yk9kZ2RRTHhlbEhHSjV5U29nc0pmWWRwYW1sUTR5dE5jNjlZNlFoNjVZeGN3Y08yaThLOEo5bkxTbFpRdmVDRFVHckZmbzVKamx2bXVDeEt5b2taWklGX0FGeWJIRzdCRDRsNUxnUS1FRkpYRkZYQUd0bzlsMzhBLVhISXFZLVpQT3lia2Z0N2JjQk9zc1haOTMtUEJhcjFmYnJXVjVSWXV5YmtHbks4UkE), mainland officials have accused Taiwan’s ruling authorities of supporting hacking operations against government agencies, research institutions, and infrastructure networks in China.

The Chinese government alleges that some of the targeted organizations were involved in “critical and sensitive” research, administration, and economic activity. However, China has not publicly provided detailed evidence to support their claims, nor have they disclosed the specific nature of the breaches or data allegedly compromised.

Taiwan Denies Allegations, Points to Chinese Cyber Activities

Taiwan’s government has firmly denied Beijing’s accusations, calling them unfounded and part of a “disinformation campaign.” According to reports in the [Taipei Times](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiekFVX3lxTE5nWE4zc0l5Zk5ZUVBOR1B3X05NTDFRQzdoMk0xbkxLb095MlZkWVpqUE1UUVREVHZIczQwOXJNLS10MnJBOUZxd2VCSnl0alN0OXRGMFF4akVVNW45TE8zVU5HRjg4QWd4cjdZODNMN1RGbGVfay1LMmp3?oc=5), Taiwanese officials counter that it is Taiwan that has long been the target of persistent Chinese cyberattacks.

Taipei asserts that government agencies and critical infrastructure face “near-daily cyber intrusions” believed to originate from Chinese state actors. According to Taiwan, these attacks seek to disrupt public services, steal sensitive information, and spread disinformation.

Pattern of Reciprocal Accusations

Analysts note that accusations of cyberattacks are not new in cross-strait relations, but the volume and specificity of recent public statements indicate a growing concern on both sides about cyber threats as a potential tool in the ongoing standoff.

Both Beijing and Taipei have increased their cybersecurity budgets and established specialized agencies to counter perceived digital threats from abroad. Each side maintains that its cyber operations are defensive and necessary for national security, while rejecting accusations that they conduct offensive campaigns overseas.

Broader Digital Threats Highlighted

The exchange between China and Taiwan comes amid a global uptick in cyberattacks targeting both public and private sector organizations. For instance, [Coca-Cola Europacific Partners](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNbTRscDNfM3pxTVlCcmhyazR0bDE0SUFmWEZEREZ3TElBcVAtS2h3bVQyRGZsTklkT0k2UDlKbkdLa1hGN0F0b1o3eHkwVmFqOEtqa2xfTlBneXBmMmhlU0hfcFd4RGk2Ym80LUJ1WW9TeTdCZnR6eTFZbzY5S085REllblItamQ2NWVFempzREUtU1N6Q19DSnVEbFJUTE5xdW52Y1VYMA?oc=5) recently disclosed a major data breach, underscoring the persistent and borderless nature of cyber risk.

Conclusion

As both China and Taiwan exchange accusations of state-backed cyberattacks, neither side has provided independently verified technical evidence for their claims. The recent escalation highlights how cyberspace has become an additional domain of friction in cross-strait relations, with both sides identifying digital threats as a national security priority.

*For further reading, see Reuters, AOL, the South China Morning Post, and the Taipei Times.*