TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China conducts wide-ranging covert operations against Taiwan to undermine Taiwanese society and ultimately annex the country, the US-based think tank Global Taiwan Institute said in a recent report titled “Chinese Communist Party Covert Operations Against Taiwan.”
GTI said the CCP’s operations fall into three main categories: intelligence, cyberspace, and United Front work.
To gather intelligence on Taiwan’s military, China has increased financial incentives to recruit military personnel “at operational levels” instead of solely senior officers, GTI said. Targets are required to take loyalty oaths and surrender pledges. Taiwan investigated 84 espionage cases investigated in 2024 and prosecuted 39 people involved.
China-backed hackers target Taiwan government networks, vital infrastructure, and intellectual property, using “living off the land” techniques that make detection difficult, GTI said, adding that hackers may also be working with Russian counterparts to intensify cyberattacks.
The institute pointed out that Taiwan has the highest rate of cyberattacks in the Asia-Pacific region.
China has also intensified United Front operations through local-level exchanges, targeting community leaders and grassroots organizations, GTI said. The CCP uses cross-strait youth exchanges, education programs, and cultural activities to promote United Front propaganda.
Additionally, China seeks to influence political figures from all Taiwanese political parties, the institute said. According to the Jamestown Foundation, over 150 organizations in Taiwan have connections to the United Front system.
The GTI recommended Taiwan implement harsher penalties for espionage and bolster cybersecurity certification and government protocols. It also urged more government support for “independent journalism to investigate political warfare” and additional oversight of engagement between Taiwanese officials and Chinese agencies.
