Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan’s critical infrastructure surged in 2025 to an average of 2.63 million incidents a day, a 6% rise from the previous year and more than double 2023 levels, according to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau. The attacks targeted sectors ranging from hospitals and emergency services to banks, energy networks and telecommunications, and often coincided with Chinese military drills near the island. Taipei says this reflects Beijing’s broader use of “hybrid warfare” combining cyber operations, military pressure and disinformation.
Why It Matters
The scale and coordination of the attacks highlight how cyberwarfare has become central to cross-strait tensions. By aiming at essential services and daily life, Beijing appears to be testing Taiwan’s resilience and signaling its ability to disrupt the island without firing a shot. The targeting of science parks and semiconductor firms raises global concerns, given Taiwan’s critical role in the world’s technology supply chains and the intensifying U.S.-China tech rivalry.
Taiwan’s government and security agencies are under pressure to defend vital infrastructure and maintain public confidence. China’s leadership is using cyber capabilities as part of its broader strategy to assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan. Taiwanese businesses, especially in the semiconductor sector, face growing risks to intellectual property and operations. The United States, regional allies, and global technology firms all have stakes in Taiwan’s stability and digital security.
What Next
Taipei is likely to accelerate investment in cyber defenses and deepen cooperation with partners on intelligence sharing and resilience. Beijing is expected to continue blending cyber operations with military and political pressure, particularly around sensitive events. As cross-strait tensions persist, cyberattacks may remain a constant feature of the confrontation, increasing the risk that digital escalation spills over into broader conflict.
With information from Reuters.
