Taiwan ups the ante on Defence as China resorts to Cyber attacks amid bid to gain control

Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have been at an all-time high since US House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi's visit to self-ruled Island nation on August 2, 2022. visit itself h garnered much international attention, considering Pelosi's arrival in Taiwan in spite of repeated warnings from Beijing that re would be 'serious consequences'. China has been outspoken regarding its intention relating to Taiwan and displeasure with US’ interference on Taiwan issue. It h termed US’ actions as ‘Playing with Fire’. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi h remarked that "becoming enemies of 1.4 billion Chinese people, will never end well." 

Following Pelosi's visit, China h initiated largest-ever military drill in Taiwan strait which h begun with Chinese military encircling Taiwan from six areas that it h designated as “Danger-zones”. Furrmore, China resorted to firing multiple Dongfeng-class ballistic missiles which flew over Taiwan and landed into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and violated nation’s airspace several times as Chinese jets flew in and out of zones. Chinese drills h culminated on August 10 after a ‘show of force’ which was condemned by G7 nations. 

China engages in Cyberwarfare against Taiwan

In dition to a direct ‘Show of force’, China has also reportedly been engaged in cyber-attacks against Taiwan. island nation’s companies and government websites were first to perceive brunt of cyber attacks as 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan h received messages reing “Warmonger Pelosi, get out of Taiwan”. Electronic billboards across country were also hacked. ditionally, websites of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presidential office were also hacked and shut down for a short duration. 

experience of se cyber-attacks has forced Taiwan to reconsider strength of its firewalls and cyber-security preparedness. In a statement, a professor of computer studies at National Chung Cheng University, Wang Ming-hung warned, “If power plants, hospitals, and transportation are hacked, damage would be significant.”

In order to upgre its resilience, Taiwan has decided to raise its defence spending by 15% next year. Reportedly, Taiwan is set to focus on safeguarding nation against existent threat of China’s cyber operations against country that threatens sensitive data leakage, misinformation, online service suspension and espionage. 

Furrmore, Taipei has initiated formation of a cybersecurity agency inside newly established Ministry of Digital Affairs. It will be heed by hacker-turned-cabinet member Audrey Tang. agency is set to hire an initial 150 cybersecurity specialists. immediate necessity of such a step can be realised through fact that it will see a sharp hike from 20 staff it h at a cabinet-affiliated cybersecurity center.

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