China is reportedly gearing up to interfere in Taiwan’s upcoming ‘nine-in-one’ local elections scheduled for November. The National Security Bureau’s recent report highlighted China’s intentions to launch cyber attacks on Taiwan’s Government Service Network (GSN) in a bid to influence the elections. The bureau revealed that China has been engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan, utilizing tactics such as spreading disputed content through various channels.
The report disclosed that China has deployed around 13,000 suspicious internet accounts and disseminated 860,000 disputed messages targeting key areas like foreign affairs, national defense, and the economy. These messages, generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI), have been circulated through Chinese state media, Internet trolls, and content farms. The GSN faced over 173.28 million cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2026, potentially linked to Chinese interference in the electoral process.
According to the bureau, China is expected to employ a hybrid strategy for intervention in the elections, incorporating techniques like AI-powered deep-fake technology and false public opinion surveys. Additionally, China may influence the election outcomes by organizing tours to China for certain groups, covering their travel expenses, and engaging in trade with pro-China regions. The report also highlighted instances of Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels breaching Taiwan’s airspace and waters, respectively, as part of operational tests against Taiwan.
