Taipei, October 14, 2025 — Taiwan is sounding the alarm over a notable surge in cyberattacks believed to be stemming from China. Officials indicate that Beijing is utilizing a so-called “online troll army” to create discord and manipulate public sentiment. As outlined in a recent report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, the nation is currently facing an alarming average of 2.8 million cyberattacks per day. This marks a significant increase from the 2.4 million daily incidents recorded in 2024—representing a 17% spike.
Key Findings of the Report
The official document, delivered to Taiwan’s parliament and reviewed by Reuters ahead of an important session this Wednesday, illustrates that high-stakes sectors, including healthcare, defense, telecommunications, and energy, are among the most targeted. The report asserts, “Beyond intelligence theft, these operations exploit dark web forums, online media channels, and internet platforms to disseminate fabricated content, undermining public confidence in government cyber defenses.”
According to the National Security Bureau, this pattern of activity is a crucial component of China’s broader strategy known as “grey-zone” tactics—covert actions aimed at applying political and military pressure without resorting to open conflict. Taiwan has consistently raised concerns that China employs these strategies to bolster its claims over the island while simultaneously trying to destabilize its democratic governance.
The Role of China’s ‘Online Troll Army’
In its findings, Taiwanese authorities have pinpointed more than 10,000 suspicious social media accounts, particularly on platforms like Facebook. These accounts have been leveraged to propagate over 1.5 million messages of misinformation. This effort is part of a coordinated strategy led by China’s state-controlled media and troll networks, aiming to:
- Critique Taiwan’s government policies,
- Promote pro-China narratives, and
- Weaken trust in the United States, Taiwan’s crucial ally and arms supplier.
The report highlights the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating “meme-style” content that targets sensitive discussions related to Taiwan’s elections and its trade relations with the United States. This AI-generated content is then amplified by the troll network to sway public opinion within Taiwan.
China Denies Allegations, Claims Retaliation
In response to these allegations, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has refrained from commenting. Beijing typically denies involvement in cyberattacks, despite frequent accusations from various governments. Additionally, China contends that Taiwanese cyber operations have aimed at its own networks and has even announced rewards for 18 individuals allegedly linked to Taiwanese military psychological operations that supposedly disseminate “separatist” messages.
Implications for National Security
The Taiwanese report cautions that these persistent cyber assaults are not merely aimed at data theft; they constitute a long-range strategic campaign designed to erode trust in democratic institutions, exacerbate internal discord, and steer public opinion in a direction favorable to Beijing.
Officials emphasize the necessity of strengthening Taiwan’s cybersecurity framework, which includes:
- Enhanced internet monitoring,
- Improved information verification systems, and
- Expanded cyber defense capabilities to safeguard national security and public trust.
Ongoing Challenges in Cyber Warfare
This report from Taiwan highlights that cyber warfare has increasingly become a central aspect of modern geopolitics. As digital platforms play a pivotal role in governance and societal discourse, state-sponsored cyber operations are rising as effective tools for influence and disruption.
Taiwan’s experience stands as a pressing reminder that safeguarding cyberspace is no longer a mere technological issue; it is intrinsically linked to national security, the resilience of democracy, and global stability. In an age defined by digital conflict, cyberattacks are emerging as strategic instruments, with Taiwan at the forefront of this evolving challenge.
