Chinese authorities have offered cash rewards for the capture of 20 individuals allegedly tied to Taiwan’s military cyber unit, intensifying cross-strait tensions and drawing a swift rebuke from Taiwan’s defence ministry.
The Public Security Bureau of Guangzhou, in southern China, announced on Thursday that it would offer 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,392) to anyone providing clues or cooperation that leads to the arrest of Taiwanese hackers accused of targeting critical Chinese sectors, including military, aerospace, energy, and government agencies.
China Publishes Alleged Hacker Details
According to Chinese state media, the suspects belong to Taiwan’s Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command. Authorities released their names, photos, and Taiwan-issued ID numbers, claiming they were involved in “organising and executing cyberattacks” across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Xinhua News Agency reported that the alleged hackers collaborated with U.S. intelligence agencies, including the NSA and CIA, in orchestrating public opinion manipulation, cyber espionage, and attempts to incite unrest in China, part of a larger narrative of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation under the Asia-Pacific Strategy.
Taiwan Denounces Accusations as Fabricated
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence rejected the claims, stating that no corporate cyberattacks had been launched by its digital command unit. In an official statement, Taiwan accused Beijing of intimidation, coercion, and international deflection.
“This bounty offer reflects the Chinese Communist Party’s unreasonable attempts to threaten the Taiwanese people,” said the ministry.
The ministry also referenced recent condemnations from the EU, U.S., and Czech Republic of alleged Chinese cyberattacks, stating:
“These reactions confirm that the Chinese Communist Party is a global cyber threat—not just a regional aggressor.”
A Taiwanese security official, speaking to Reuters anonymously, called the accusations a fabricated narrative meant to divert attention from Chinese cyber operations in Europe, particularly following Czech investigations into Chinese hacking activities.
China Alleges Deep Taiwan-U.S. Cyber Collaboration
In social media posts tied to Chinese state TV, Beijing claimed Taiwan receives technical equipment, training, and personnel support from the U.S. for its “digital army.” The posts alleged that American-backed hacker teams operate from Taiwan to launch cyberattacks on China.
Last week, Chinese authorities attributed a cyberattack on a tech firm in Guangzhou to Taiwan’s government, alleging support from the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Taiwan, in response, dismissed the claim as disinformation, reaffirming that China is the primary source of hacking attacks on the island.
Geopolitical Implications and Cross-Strait Sovereignty Dispute
China maintains that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory, a stance rejected by Taiwan’s democratically elected government. Taiwan has consistently denounced Beijing’s “long-arm jurisdiction” tactics, including public bounties and legal actions, as illegitimate and provocative.
Chinese courts have no jurisdiction in Taiwan, and the island continues to resist efforts by Beijing to assert control through cyber accusations and legal intimidation.
