TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Canada has posted a cyber attache at its diplomatic mission in Taiwan amid deeper bilateral security cooperation.
The two countries are working together to counter the common threat of Chinese hacking and disinformation, The Globe and Mail reported. Beijing has ramped up these tactics to politically isolate Taiwan and annex it.
The cyber attache will team up with Taiwan government agencies on cybersecurity and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). In January, Canadian officials were sent to Taipei to learn about disinformation during Taiwan’s presidential election.
Canada is also increasing assistance to bolster Taiwan’s security. Canadian military equipment and technology to Taiwan grew to CA$32.6 million (NT$749.62 million) in 2023, according to Canada’s Department of Global Affairs. The department has similar attaches in four other Indo-Pacific cities: Seoul, Canberra, Tokyo, and Singapore.
Commenting on these postings, Global Affairs spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod said: “Through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is committed to enhancing and diversifying its security partnerships and building its cyber diplomacy, especially as concerns over foreign interference, state-sponsored disinformation, cybersecurity, and cybercrime have become increasingly significant.”
In September, Canadian Representative to Taiwan Jim Nickel said Canada aims to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in combating disinformation, countering foreign interference, and enhancing cybersecurity.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also expressed hopes for deeper collaboration with Canada during a meeting with Richard Fadden, a former national security advisor to the prime minister and former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.