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China's AI-Powered Cyber Barrage Targets Taiwan's Critical Infrastructure

China has dramatically escalated its cyber offensive against Taiwan, launching an average of 2.63 million attacks per day in 2025, a 113% increase from 2023. The attacks specifically target critical civilian infrastructure, including electricity, emergency services, telecommunications, and government networks. State-backed hacking groups are using sophisticated methods to infiltrate systems, with activity spiking during Chinese military drills and key Taiwanese political events. A Taiwanese security researcher warns these AI-driven cyberattacks are likely intended to paralyze Taiwan's defenses as a potential opening phase of conflict.

Key Points: China's Cyberwarfare Escalation Against Taiwan in 2025

  • 2.63 million daily cyberattacks in 2025
  • 113% surge from 2023 levels
  • Targets: power grid, healthcare, telecoms, government
  • AI-driven, automated assaults
  • Linked to five state-backed hacking groups
2 min read

China accelerates cyberwarfare against Taiwan, bombarding critical systems with millions of daily intrusions

Taiwan reports 113% surge in Chinese cyberattacks targeting power, telecoms, and chipmaking, with AI-driven assaults hitting 2.63 million daily.

"China's offensive power now relies heavily on AI-driven automation rather than individual hackers. - Shen Ming-Shih"

Beijing Januar, y 9

China has sharply escalated its cyberoffensive against Taiwan, directing an average of 2.63 million attacks every day throughout 2025, according to a new intelligence assessment from Taiwan's National Security Bureau. The report warns that China is intensifying efforts to infiltrate and disrupt essential civilian and government networks, as reported by The Epoch Times.

According to The Epoch Times, the NSB's study, titled "Analysis on China's Cyber Threats to Taiwan's Critical Infrastructure in 2025," shows that the volume of cyberattacks surged by 113 per cent compared with 2023, when Taipei first began disclosing such data. The barrage increasingly targets systems vital to public life, including electricity supply, emergency medical services, telecommunications, and government operations. The scope and precision of these intrusions suggest China is preparing to cripple Taiwan's internal systems in any future confrontation.

Taiwanese officials have linked the activity to five Chinese state-backed hacking units: BlackTech, Flax Typhoon, Mustang Panda, APT41, and UNC3886. These groups have repeatedly infiltrated sectors related to energy, health care, communications, and key high-tech industries. The NSB reports that Chinese actors deployed large-scale distributed denial-of-service attacks aimed at overwhelming telecom networks, alongside stealthier operations that penetrate infrastructure intermediaries to steal information and establish deeper footholds.

Industrial zones tied to TSMC, the world's top producer of advanced semiconductors, have also come under sustained pressure. The report notes that Chinese hackers have used layered methods to extract sensitive chip-related data. Cyber-activity spikes often overlapped with Chinese military drills, major public events in Taiwan, or overseas visits by senior Taiwanese officials, indicating coordinated planning rather than random escalation, as highlighted by The Epoch Times.

Shen Ming-Shih, a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, stated that China's offensive power now relies heavily on AI-driven automation rather than individual hackers. This allows Beijing to run continuous, adaptive attacks at a massive scale. Shen cautioned that cyberwarfare would likely serve as the opening phase of any conflict. By paralysing the power grid, communications, and government coordination networks, he said, China could undermine Taiwan's defences before any physical assault begins, as reported by The Epoch Times.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The focus on TSMC is the most alarming part. The global economy depends on those chips. China disrupting that supply chain would hurt everyone, including India's tech sector. We need to diversify our semiconductor sources urgently. This isn't just a Taiwan issue anymore.
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Rohit P
While the report is from The Epoch Times, which has its own perspective, the scale mentioned is staggering. 2.63 million attacks a day? If true, it's a full-scale digital siege. India should learn from this and massively upgrade our own critical infrastructure cybersecurity. Jai Hind!
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Sarah B
The use of AI for automation changes everything. It's no longer about skilled hackers but about relentless, automated probing for weaknesses. This is a wake-up call for all democracies. We need international cooperation on cyber norms, but that seems impossible with current geopolitics.
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Vikram M
This is a classic grey-zone tactic. Creating constant pressure without a formal declaration of war. It destabilises the region and impacts trade routes vital for Indian exports. Our foreign policy must be firm on supporting a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
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Michael C
Respectfully, while the threat is real, we must be cautious with reports from outlets like The Epoch Times. The numbers are eye-popping, but independent verification is key. That said, the strategic pattern—attacks synced with drills and visits—is the most credible and troubling part of the analysis.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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