China are the real hackers not us, Taiwan says after cyber accusations
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China's national security ministry said on Sept 23 a Taiwan military-backed hacking group has been carrying out cyber attacks against targets in China.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TAIPEI - China are the real hackers, not Taiwan, and accusations from Beijing of a Taiwanese hacking group are fake news, senior government officials said in Taipei on Sept 24.
China’s national security ministry said on Sept 23 that a Taiwan military-backed hacking group called Anonymous 64 has been carrying out cyber attacks against targets in China, urging people to report “anti-propaganda sabotage”.
It also named three Taiwanese who it said were part of the group and published their pictures.
Democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, frequently complains it is a victim of Chinese hacking and disinformation, but it is rare for Beijing to turn the tables and accuse Taipei.
Speaking to reporters, Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said in Parliament it was China who was the main hacker around the globe. “China is the first country when it comes to daily cyber attacks, doing it against Taiwan, and countries with similar democratic ideals. They are the real originators,” he said.
China’s accusations are untrue, Mr Koo added.
“As for what they have publicised, the military has the conviction to defend the country and will not shirk from doing so because of this, and nor will it have a chilling effect.”
Also speaking in Parliament, Premier Cho Jung-tai said China was spreading fake news to attack Taiwan. “We must respond forcefully to fake news accusations against us,” Mr Cho said.
China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
China detests Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and calls him a “separatist”.
