2011-05-28 (China Military News cited from Taiwan Today) -- The ROC military should continue to step up training and security against cyberattacks in the face of mainland China's strengthening combat power, ruling Kuomintang Legislator Lin Yu-fang said May 26.
"Even though Taiwan fares well in information warfare capability through years of training and talent buildup, the armed forces should still accelerate efforts to maintain their competitive edge," Lin said.
The legislator's remarks came after a May 25 news conference by the mainland Chinese Ministry of National Defense. A spokesman indirectly confirmed that the People's Liberation Army has established an Online Blue Army to protect its network from external attacks.
While the military personnel said the unit's primary purpose is to "enhance the PLA's informationization level and strengthen its network security protection," sources familiar with the issue said the PLA move has grabbed the attention of the world, including the United States.
The sources said the PLA has spent tens of millions of yuan on a cyberdefense program at its Guangzhou Military Region, and the unit has launched several attacks on imaginary enemies by attempting to paralyze opponents' computer systems and steal information from them.
Lin said while it is difficult to assess mainland Chinese armed forces' information warfare capabilities, the PLA's acknowledgement of the cyberwarfare unit is an indication of Beijing's level of confidence and preparedness in this regard.
The ROC Ministry of National Defense spokesman was unavailable for comment on the issue.
