In a heated exchange, Taiwan has firmly rejected China’s accusations of Taiwanese-backed cyberattacks, dismissing them as baseless and part of a broader disinformation campaign. The allegations, made by China’s national security ministry on Monday, claim that a Taiwan military-backed group named “Anonymous64” is responsible for cyberattacks targeting Chinese websites. The ministry even published photos of three Taiwanese individuals they claim were involved in the alleged attacks.
Taiwan’s government officials have swiftly refuted these accusations. Defence Minister Wellington Koo countered that China is the primary source of global cyberattacks, targeting Taiwan and other democracies. He stated, “China is the first country when it comes to daily cyber attacks, doing it against Taiwan and countries with similar democratic ideals. They are the real originators.” Koo further emphasized that China’s accusations are unfounded and will not deter Taiwan’s military from its duties.
Premier Cho Jung-tai echoed these sentiments, accusing China of spreading disinformation to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty. “We must respond forcefully to fake news accusations against us,” Cho said.
These allegations are part of a larger narrative of escalating tensions between Taiwan and China. The two nations have long been at odds over Taiwan’s sovereignty, with China asserting its claim over the island. The recent accusations from China come amidst this backdrop, coupled with heightened military activity from both sides.
The accusations also arise as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its ties with the United States, which Beijing views with suspicion. In September, a delegation of U.S. drone and anti-drone companies visited Taipei to discuss creating supply chains independent of China. This collaboration aims to mitigate risks associated with Chinese products that have dual civilian and military uses. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo sees this as an opportunity for Taiwan to integrate into U.S. supply chains and engage in co-production, helping Taiwan overcome export challenges due to its international status and pressure from China.
The exchange of accusations highlights the complex and delicate relationship between Taiwan and China, a relationship that is likely to remain a major point of contention in the Asia-Pacific region for the foreseeable future.
