Taiwan Confirms Failed Hacking Attempts After U.S. Indicts Chinese Hackers

Taipei, March 6 (CNA) - In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on Thursday that it was targeted by Chinese hackers, but stressed that no sensitive information was stolen during the attempted breaches.

This revelation comes on the heels of a damning indictment issued by the United States against 10 alleged Chinese hackers for their role in targeting American government agencies, foreign governments, and news organizations. Federal officials accused the group of collaborating to steal data from their targets as part of what they termed a "years-long spying campaign" that stole information from victims across America and around the world.

The indictment also singled out i-Soon, better known as Anxun Information Technology, as a "key player in the PRC's hacker-for-hire ecosystem." Eight of the suspects were found to have worked for i-Soon, while two others were linked to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. The Manhattan District Attorney's office described i-Soon as a prime example of China's sophisticated cyber espionage apparatus.

The hacking attempts targeted a range of high-profile victims, including the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the foreign ministries of Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia, as well as several news organizations critical of China. The New York State Assembly was also on the list.

When asked for comment, MOFA said that it has always been a target for Chinese cyberattacks due to its sensitive nature. However, in response to the recent indictment, the ministry confirmed that it had been made aware of the hacking attempts and launched a thorough investigation. The results of this investigation revealed that none of the attempted breaches were successful.

"We despise Chinese hacking attempts, which are widely regarded as unacceptable by the international community," said MOFA in its statement. "The recent indictment in the U.S. is an effort to hold these alleged hackers accountable and we acknowledge it."

In light of this latest development, MOFA emphasized its commitment to enhancing information security and combating cyberattacks initiated by authoritarian regimes. The ministry pledged to work closely with like-minded countries to strengthen their defenses against Chinese cyber threats.

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Taiwan and China over issues related to cybersecurity, politics, and human rights. It also underscores the growing concern among Western governments about the threat posed by Chinese hacking groups to national security and economic interests.