I.The P.R.C. has been conducting cognitive warfare and united front infiltration against Taiwan through political, economic, cultural, military, and legal means, with the intent to divide internal unity and undermine social stability. In recent times, the P.R.C. has further sought to expand its administrative jurisdiction over Taiwan, employing methods of “non-military coercion” to achieve its objective of “substantive control preceding legal declaration.” By gradually altering the cognitive framework regarding the status quo of the Taiwan Strait, the P.R.C. attempts to convince the international community that ‘‘the Taiwan Strait is China’s internal waters’’ and that ‘‘Taiwan is a province of China,’’ thereby eroding the integrity of Taiwan’s rule of law and jurisdiction and constraining the exercise of the Republic of China’s sovereignty.
II.Since the beginning of this year, the P.R.C. has carried out cyberattacks against Taiwanese enterprises to discredit the R.O.C. Armed Forces, while frequently launching “bounty announcement” campaigns as part of its cognitive warfare methods. These actions are intended to divide the Taiwanese public, undermine the authority of the government, and create psychological pressure on military personnel. Through such tactics, the P.R.C. seeks to foster a false perception that it holds legal jurisdiction over Taiwan, compelling the Taiwanese people to self-censor and thereby creating a chilling effect within society. In addition, the P.R.C. has intensified its cultural united front operations to Taiwan and repeatedly distorted the interpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, attempting to force the international community to accept its “One China” principle. These efforts aim to diminish Taiwan’s international standing, undermine public morale, and sow division within Taiwanese society.
III.Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of detected espionage cases indicates that the P.R.C. employs a model of cyber-based infiltration with local collaborators, implementing a broad and indiscriminate recruitment strategy that targets individuals across all sectors of society. The P.R.C. habitually uses monetary incentives, emotional manipulation, and debt bondage to recruit a small number of active-duty and retired personnel to gather intelligence or assist in organizational development. Although this infiltration model operates at low cost, it nonetheless poses a serious threat to the overall defense capabilities of the R.O.C. Armed Forces, social stability, and national security.
IV.In response to the P.R.C.’s cognitive warfare and united front operations, the MND has utilized the “Twilight Garden” program to produce educational videos aimed at strengthening military personnel’s patriotic conviction, awareness of enemy threats, and media literacy skills. The MND also actively publicizes major military exercises and the introduction of new weapons and equipment to enhance the visibility of the Armed Forces and reinforce public support and trust in the military. Additionally, to prevent P.R.C.’s infiltration, the MND issued the Regulations of Personnel Security Investigation for Participants in the National Defense Security Program earlier this year to strengthen personnel security management. Under this system, security clearance certification mechanisms are established according to levels of classified access, with special emphasis on security vetting for personnel involved in emerging combat forces and advanced weapon systems. At the same time, the MND has built a collaborative mechanism with national security, investigative, and prosecutorial agencies to develop a “Common National Security Threat Picture,” thereby enhancing interagency coordination and preventing infiltration by foreign hostile forces.
Excerpt from: R.O.C. National Defense Report, 4th Session of the 11th Legislative Yuan