Taipei warns of hybrid attacks as Beijing flexes military and cyber power

Beijing’s Massive War Drills Raise Alarm

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has accused China of using “Justice Mission 2025”, a series of large-scale military exercises, to undermine global support for the island while deflecting attention from Beijing’s domestic economic problems.

The operations included missile launches, naval maneuvers, and aerial deployments, causing flight disruptions and heightening concerns among regional allies.

The report to Taiwan’s Parliament emphasized that the drills were intended to “counter democratic nations’ support for Taiwan” in the international arena.

Economic Frustration Diverted into Nationalism

Authorities in Taipei say the exercises also serve as a domestic propaganda tool, channeling public frustration over China’s economic slowdown into nationalistic sentiment. Analysts describe this as a hybrid strategy, designed to intimidate Taiwan while bolstering domestic support for Beijing without immediate armed conflict.

Cyber and Information Warfare Escalates

Taiwan reports China is combining military drills with cyber and online campaigns:

• Information Operations: State-controlled media, AI-generated content, and coordinated “troll armies” pushed 19,000 controversial messages over five days using 799 accounts.
• Cyberattacks: Over 2 million cyberattacks targeted Taiwanese networks in just the first two days, with PLA-affiliated groups like APT24 and BlackTech involved.

These campaigns aim to undermine public confidence, destabilize cybersecurity infrastructure, and weaken faith in Taiwan’s military and government.

Regional and Global Implications

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese assault on Taiwan could represent an existential threat to Japan, highlighting how the escalation affects the entire region.

Security analysts say that China’s hybrid approach—mixing military might, cyber disruption, and information manipulation—is a strategic move to pressure Taiwan, deter international support, and shape global perceptions.

Beijing Responds

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond directly to Taiwan’s allegations but stated that the drills aim to “safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity” while protecting the interests of citizens on both sides of the strait.”

Beijing continues to assert that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force, whereas Taipei insists that only its people can determine Taiwan’s future.