China’s Ministry of State Security has accused a Taiwanese government agency of orchestrating cyberattacks against mainland organizations and spreading disinformation on social media. The Chinese agency, responsible for civilian intelligence and security, named three Taiwanese officials allegedly involved in these activities. According to the ministry, the officials work for the Taiwan Information and Communications Army, a military-linked organization accused of engaging in information and cyber warfare to destabilize China’s political system.
The accusations include using social media accounts to exaggerate the success of cyberattacks on Chinese institutions and sow discord within the country. China’s ministry described the efforts as largely ineffective, but claimed the group sought to manipulate public opinion by sharing disinformation about compromising Chinese government systems. These statements mark a rare instance of China publicly accusing another nation of cyber misconduct, contrasting with past denials of its own involvement in state-backed cyber activities.
China’s allegations come amidst ongoing tensions with Taiwan over cyberespionage and digital warfare. In recent months, Taiwan and international cybersecurity researchers have frequently reported Chinese state-sponsored attacks targeting Taiwanese organizations. One such group, RedJuliett, was linked to attacks on 24 organizations in Taiwan between late 2023 and early 2024. These activities have fueled accusations of China’s involvement in systematic cyberespionage to advance its geopolitical interests.
The Taiwan Information and Communications Army dismissed the allegations as a strategic distraction by China to deflect global criticism of its own cyberwarfare tactics. They accused Beijing of using “gray zone” operations to heighten regional tensions and undermine international support for Taiwan. The agency argued that China’s claims aim to shift focus from recent international condemnation of its cyber activities, rather than address the real issues at hand.
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