Taiwan faced a surge in Chinese cyberattacks in 2025, with government data showing that the island’s critical infrastructure was targeted an average of 2.6 million times per day. According to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, the scale, frequency, and coordination of these Taiwan cyberattacks suggest a sustained and deliberate campaign that intensified alongside military and political pressure from Beijing.
The bureau reported that Chinese cyberattacks against Taiwan’s key infrastructure rose 6% compared with the previous year. Sectors experiencing the most severe impact included energy systems, hospitals, banks, emergency rescue services, and telecommunications networks. The agency said the average number of daily attacks reached approximately 2.63 million in 2025, marking an 113% increase from 2023, when the bureau first began publishing such figures.
“These attacks indicate a deliberate attempt by China to compromise Taiwan’s crucial infrastructure comprehensively and to disrupt or paralyze Taiwanese government and social functions,” the report stated.
Chinese Cyberattacks Timed With Military Drills and Political Events
Taiwanese authorities said many of the Chinese cyberattacks were closely synchronized with Chinese military exercises and politically sensitive moments, reinforcing concerns over what Taipei describes as “hybrid warfare.” The bureau documented that China conducted 40 “joint combat readiness patrols” in 2025, involving military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan. Cyber activity escalated during 23 of those patrols.
The report cited specific incidents in which Taiwan cyberattacks intensified during major political events. In May, cyber activity spiked when President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech marking his first year in office. Another escalation occurred in November when Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim spoke at a meeting with lawmakers at the European Parliament.
“China’s moves align with its strategic need to employ hybrid threats against Taiwan during both peacetime and wartime,” the report said.
Taiwan has repeatedly accused China of using a combination of daily military drills, disinformation campaigns, and cyber operations to weaken the island’s defenses and morale. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taipei rejects China’s sovereignty claims, stating that only Taiwan’s people can decide the island’s future, reported The Japan Times.
Hospitals, Energy Systems, and Banks Among Primary Targets
The National Security Bureau said the Chinese cyberattacks employed a wide range of techniques designed to disrupt daily life and undermine public trust. These included distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks aimed at overwhelming networks and halting services, as well as man-in-the-middle attacks used to intercept communications, steal sensitive data, and penetrate telecommunications infrastructure.
Hospitals, emergency services, and energy providers experienced some of the sharpest year-on-year increases in attack volume. Banks and financial systems were also repeatedly targeted, raising concerns about broader economic disruption.
Science parks anchoring Taiwan’s semiconductor industry were identified as another major focus. Facilities linked to advanced chip manufacturing, including firms such as TSMC, were subjected to repeated cyber intrusions. According to the report, attackers used various methods to steal advanced technologies and proprietary information.
Technology Competition and Beijing’s Strategic Goals
The bureau linked the cyber campaign to China’s broader economic and technological ambitions. The report said the attacks were “an attempt to support China’s self-reliance in technology and economic development and prevent China from being put in a disadvantaged position in the U.S.-China technology competition.”
Despite the detailed findings, China has consistently denied involvement. The Chinese government routinely rejects accusations related to hacking or cyber espionage. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment on the report.
Taiwanese officials argue that the sheer scale, timing, and coordination of the attacks point to an organized effort rather than isolated incidents. With Chinese cyberattacks and Taiwan cyberattacks continuing to rise in volume, the bureau warned that protecting digital infrastructure has become as critical as traditional military defense.
