Chinese Cyber Activity and Disinformation Against Taiwan Intensifies, Officials Report

China has dramatically increased its cyber offensive against Taiwan, according to intelligence officials, with government networks now facing approximately 2.8 million intrusion attempts daily. This marks a 17 percent rise from the previous year, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) revealed in a parliamentary report.

The attacks, which Taiwanese officials have traced back to mainland China, specifically target critical infrastructure including defense systems, telecommunications networks, energy facilities, and medical institutions. The campaign represents what appears to be a coordinated effort to undermine Taiwan’s security posture and democratic institutions.

“Beyond intelligence theft, these operations integrate dark web, internet forum, and media channels to disseminate fabricated content,” the NSB stated in its report, as cited by Reuters. The bureau described a sophisticated campaign combining traditional hacking with information warfare tactics designed to erode public trust.

The intelligence agency has identified more than 10,000 suspicious social media accounts, predominantly on Facebook, responsible for spreading over 1.5 million pieces of disinformation. This content typically portrays the Taiwanese government negatively, promotes pro-Beijing narratives, and attempts to damage Taiwan’s relationship with the United States, its primary security partner and weapons supplier.

One particularly concerning development is the deployment of artificial intelligence to create convincing memes and videos. These AI-generated materials amplify false narratives about sensitive political issues, including Taiwan’s tariff negotiations with Washington and domestic energy policies. NSB officials believe these efforts are strategically timed to influence public opinion ahead of Taiwan’s 2026 local elections.

The NSB characterizes these activities as part of a “state-level” strategy involving multiple Chinese entities, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Ministry of State Security, and Public Security Bureau. According to the report, Beijing employs military personnel, civilian operatives, and private-sector hackers in a coordinated campaign of espionage, online manipulation, and data theft.

Taiwan’s struggle against Chinese cyberattacks comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must eventually reunify with the mainland, while Taiwan operates as a self-governed democracy with its own military and democratic institutions.

While the Chinese government consistently denies involvement in hacking or disinformation operations, Taiwan and several Western nations have repeatedly identified what they describe as “grey-zone” tactics employed by Beijing. These include military exercises near Taiwanese airspace and waters, espionage activities, and propaganda campaigns designed to pressure Taiwan into accepting China’s sovereignty claims.

Independent cybersecurity researchers have corroborated Taiwan’s concerns. In September, cybersecurity firm Proofpoint published findings about increased activities by TA415, a threat actor linked to China. This group has intensified attacks specifically targeting Taiwan’s strategically important semiconductor industry, focusing on manufacturers, design firms, and supply chain companies. Taiwan’s semiconductor sector represents a critical component of the global technology supply chain, producing chips used worldwide in everything from smartphones to advanced weapons systems.

The cyber conflict runs both ways, at least according to Chinese authorities. In May, Beijing claimed that a Taiwan-backed group had launched cyberattacks against a mainland technology company and other sensitive infrastructure targets. Earlier, in March, Chinese officials accused four individuals allegedly connected to Taiwan’s military of conducting espionage operations against the mainland. The NSB has denied these allegations.

This escalating cyber conflict underscores the complex security challenges facing Taiwan as it maintains its democratic governance while living in the shadow of an increasingly assertive China. As digital warfare capabilities advance on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, cybersecurity has become a central battlefield in this long-running geopolitical standoff.