Taipei, June 12, 2025 — Taiwan’s cyber forces will not be intimidated by China’s latest threats, the island’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday, after Beijing announced a bounty for the arrest of 20 individuals it accuses of being Taiwanese military hackers.
The Defence Ministry condemned the move, calling it part of China’s ongoing campaign of psychological warfare and intimidation. It also asserted that China’s legal system holds no jurisdiction over Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
“We will not be coerced by unlawful threats from China. Taiwan’s military and cyber units remain committed to defending our national security and democratic way of life,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
On Wednesday, China’s Ministry of Public Security issued a list of 20 individuals it alleged were involved in cyberattacks against Chinese targets, and offered rewards for information leading to their capture. Beijing claims the individuals are part of Taiwan’s military-linked hacker network.
The move marks the latest escalation in tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Over the past five years, China has sharply increased military, political, and cyber pressure on the island, including frequent air and naval incursions and targeted disinformation campaigns.
Taiwan’s government strongly rejects China’s territorial claims, emphasizing that only Taiwan’s citizens can determine their future. “The People’s Republic of China’s laws do not apply to Taiwan,” the Defence Ministry reiterated.
Analysts say Beijing’s latest action is likely intended to intimidate Taiwanese cyber operators and their families, and may fuel further mistrust between the two sides amid an already tense regional environment.
Taiwan’s authorities have vowed to continue strengthening their cyber defenses and called on democratic allies to stand in solidarity against authoritarian coercion.
