by Franci Tuschek, Staff Writer
The Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM) of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has rejected China’s claims of cyberattacks on Chinese targets. ICEFCOM instead accused China of employing “gray zone” tactics to escalate tensions and threaten peace in the region. China’s Ministry of State Security alleged that a hacker group named “Anonymous 64” was behind ongoing cyberattacks on China, Hong Kong, and Macau, suggesting that this group was a cover for ICEFCOM’s Cyber Warfare Unit. In response, ICEFCOM dismissed these accusations and highlighted China’s actions as the true cause of regional instability.
台灣國防部的資訊、通訊與電子部隊指揮部（ICEFCOM）已駁斥中國對網絡攻擊中國目標的指控。ICEFCOM 指責中國採取「灰色地帶」戰術，以升高緊張局勢並威脅該地區的和平。中國國家安全部指控一個名為「Anonymous 64」的黑客組織是對中國、香港和澳門進行持續網絡攻擊的背後主使，並暗示該組織是 ICEFCOM 網絡戰部隊的掩護。作為回應，ICEFCOM 駁斥了這些指控，並強調中國的行動才是真正造成地區不穩定的原因。
The claim is that “Anonymous 64” is actually a cover for ICEFCOM’s Cyber Warfare Unit, which has identified three individuals it claims are members of the Taiwanese military under investigation for their involvement in the alleged cyberattacks.
Established in July 2017, ICEFCOM is a relatively new but significant unit tasked with overseeing military communications, network security, and information warfare, employing around 6,000 personnel.
Yesterday, ICEFCOM rejected the allegations, instead criticizing China’s use of “gray zone” tactics for increasing regional tensions.
看起來「匿名64」實際上是ICEFCOM的網絡戰部隊的掩護，該部隊已識別出三名個人，聲稱他們是正在調查中的台灣軍方成員，因為涉嫌參與所謂的網絡攻擊。
ICEFCOM成立於2017年7月，是一個相對較新但重要的單位，負責監督軍事通信、網絡安全和信息戰，擁有約6000名人員。
昨天，ICEFCOM駁斥了這些指控，並批評中國利用「灰色地帶」戰術來加劇地區緊張局勢。
A national security official stated that China’s claims are an effort to stir domestic anti-Taiwan sentiment and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) denied accusations from China that it has jeopardized regional security through cyberattacks against Chinese targets. Instead, it asserted that Beijing is the one exacerbating tensions and disrupting peace in the region.
The Chinese Ministry of State Security alleged on WeChat that a hacker group named “Anonymous 64” had been conducting cyberattacks against China, Hong Kong, and Macau since earlier this year. They claimed the group aimed to take control of websites, electronic billboards, and video-on-demand services, spreading misinformation and undermining the Chinese Communist Party’s governance.
China’s Ministry also suggested that “Anonymous 64” is a front for the MND’s Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM) and named three individuals it claimed are Taiwanese military members being investigated for their alleged involvement in these attacks.
ICEFCOM, established in July 2017, is crucial for military communications and information warfare, comprising around 6,000 personnel. In response to the allegations, ICEFCOM condemned China’s application of “gray zone” tactics that heighten regional tensions.
ICEFCOM emphasized the serious nature of current cyber threats, citing ongoing harassment from Chinese military forces through air, sea, and cyber means, which they claim undermines regional stability.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that “Anonymous” is a recognized hacker collective that typically targets authoritarian regimes, arguing that China’s addition of “64” to the name suggests it is the primary target.
This move appears to be an attempt by China to divert attention from international criticisms of its cyberwarfare practices and to diminish global support for Taiwan. A national security official, speaking anonymously, remarked that these actions aim to foster anti-Taiwan sentiment within China and exacerbate cross-strait tensions.
Shen Ming-shih, deputy CEO of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, commented that releasing the names and images of the accused seeks to intimidate Taiwan’s armed forces and weaken loyalty to the government.
Due to the covert nature of cyber warfare, ICEFCOM often conducts sensitive operations. It played a significant role in the 2022 Han Kuang 38 military exercise, simulating attacks on key military command centers, and was instrumental in safeguarding Taiwan’s digital infrastructure during increased cyber threats following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit in August of that year.
國家安全官員表示，中國的主張是為了激起國內的反台灣情緒，並加劇台海的緊張局勢。
國防部（MND）否認中國對其通過網絡攻擊中國目標而危害地區安全的指控。相反，國防部聲稱是北京在加劇緊張局勢，擾亂該地區的和平。
中國國家安全部在微信上指控一個名為「Anonymous 64」的駭客群體自今年早些時候以來對中國、香港和澳門進行網絡攻擊。他們聲稱該團體旨在控制網站、電子廣告牌和視頻點播服務，散佈錯誤信息，破壞中國共產黨的治理。
中國國務院還暗示「Anonymous 64」是國防部資訊、通信與電子部隊指揮部（ICEFCOM）的掩護，並指名三名據稱與這些攻擊有關的台灣軍方成員正在接受調查。
ICEFCOM成立於2017年7月，對軍事通信和信息戰爭至關重要，擁有約6000名人員。對於這些指控，ICEFCOM譴責中國採用的「灰色地帶」戰術，加劇了地區緊張局勢。
ICEFCOM強調當前網絡威脅的嚴重性，指出中國軍方通過空中、海上和網絡手段進行的持續騷擾，聲稱這破壞了地區穩定。
此外，該部門指出，「Anonymous」是一個知名的駭客集體，通常以專制政權為目標，並認為中國在名稱中添加「64」暗示它是主要目標。
這一舉動似乎是中國試圖轉移國際對其網絡戰爭行為的批評，並減少全球對台灣的支持。一位匿名的國家安全官員表示，這些行動旨在促進中國境內的反台灣情緒，並加劇兩岸緊張。
國防安全研究所副執行長沈明士評論道，公開被指控者的姓名和影像旨在威嚇台灣武裝部隊，削弱對政府的忠誠。
由於網絡戰爭的隱秘性，ICEFCOM經常進行敏感的操作。它在2022年漢光38號軍事演習中發揮了重要作用，模擬對主要軍事指揮中心的攻擊，並在美國眾議院議長南希·佩洛西於該年8月訪問後，對保障台灣的數字基礎設施至關重要，因為當時網絡威脅加劇。
