Unprecedented Wave of Chinese Cyberattacks on Taiwan's Critical Infrastructure (2025)

**Taiwan Faces Record Surge in Chinese Cyberattacks in 2025** In 2025, Taiwan experienced an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks, with an average of **2.63 million daily incidents**—a **6% increase from 2024** and a **113% jump from 2023**, according to a report by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau. The attacks, attributed to Chinese state-linked cyber units, targeted critical infrastructure as part of a broader **hybrid warfare strategy** amid escalating political and military tensions between Taipei and Beijing. The cyber offensives were **highly coordinated**, often aligning with Chinese military exercises and politically sensitive moments in Taiwan. Over **40 joint combat readiness patrols** by China saw cyberattack spikes in more than half of the cases, while surges also occurred during key events, such as speeches by President **Lai Ching-te** and international engagements by Vice President **Hsiao Bi-khim**. Methods included **DDoS attacks** to overwhelm systems and **man-in-the-middle attacks** to intercept data. **Critical sectors bore the brunt of the assaults**, including: - **Energy grids** and **emergency response systems**, facing heightened probing and traffic surges. - **Hospitals, banks, and telecommunications networks**, straining cybersecurity defenses. - **Technology hubs**, particularly semiconductor research parks, raising concerns over **intellectual property theft** and disruptions to global supply chains. While Beijing denies involvement, Taiwan views the attacks as a **deliberate campaign** to undermine government operations, public confidence, and democratic institutions. In response, Taiwan has bolstered its cyber defenses with **advanced threat detection, incident response teams, and public-private collaboration**, aiming to harden infrastructure and improve resilience. The attacks extend beyond Taiwan, reflecting a **global trend** where digital operations serve as tools of geopolitical pressure. Experts warn that unchecked state-backed cyber aggression could destabilize regional security and disrupt **international supply chains, banking systems, and communications networks**. Addressing these threats, officials argue, will require **stronger domestic defenses and international cooperation** on threat intelligence and cyber norms.