BEIJING: China’s national security ministry said on Monday (Sep 23) a Taiwan military-backed hacking group called Anonymous 64 has been carrying out cyberattacks against targets in China, urging people to report “anti-propaganda sabotage”.
Taiwan’s defence ministry denied the allegations, saying China was the real disturber of the peace with its cyberattacks and military harassment.
Since the beginning of this year, Anonymous 64 – which China’s national security ministry said belonged to Taiwan’s cyber warfare wing – has sought to upload and broadcast “content that denigrates the mainland’s political system and major policies”, on websites, outdoor screens and network TV stations, the national security ministry said in a blog post.
Taiwan frequently accuses Chinese groups of seeking to spread online disinformation or carry out cyberattacks across the democratically governed island. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims.
The Taiwan defence ministry’s Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command said China’s accusations were untrue.
“The current enemy situation and cyber threats are severe,” it said in a statement.
“The Chinese communist military and forces that coordinate with it continue to use aircraft, ships and cyberattacks to harass Taiwan and are the originators of undermining regional peace.”
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
