Taiwan Utilizes CCP Experience to Take Lead in Combatting ‘Disinformation’ in the Pacific Region
A representative from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Australia mentioned that Taiwan has been assisting Pacific countries in combating disinformation, drawing from its experience in countering election interference originating from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Douglas Yu-Tien Hsu, the TECO representative, discussed Taiwan’s endeavors to aid democratic institutions and promote democracy in the Pacific region.
During an inquiry hearing on August 22, Hsu highlighted Taiwan’s awareness of disinformation campaigns during elections and emphasized the importance of helping island countries detect and address such operations.
Hsu provided an example of how Taiwan’s experience could assist Pacific countries in discerning between false information and intentional disinformation and identifying the source of misinformation.
He also mentioned the upcoming workshop in Australia where experts from Taiwan, Australia, and the United States will train journalists from Pacific island countries to identify and combat misinformation and disinformation, aiming to enhance media literacy in the region.
CCP’s Disinformation Campaigns Against Taiwan
Over the years, Taiwan has faced significant disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the CCP, aimed at undermining Taiwan’s democracy.
During the latest Taiwan election, reports indicated that the CCP utilized cyberattacks, AI tools, and other measures to influence public opinion in Taiwan. According to Fortinet, Taiwan experienced approximately 15,000 cyber threats per second in the first half of 2023, making it the most targeted location in Asia-Pacific cyberspace.
Wu Tsunghan from Taiwan’s Institute of National Defense and Security Research cited specific instances of disinformation, including false accusations against the Taiwanese government, often disseminated through popular social media platforms in Taiwan.
Disinformation campaigns tend to escalate around national elections and key visits of Taiwanese leaders, intensifying doubts about Taiwan’s democratic system.
Australian Senate Passes Motion Rejecting CCP’s Claim Over Taiwan
Following the Australian Senate’s bipartisan-backed motion rejecting the CCP’s “One China” principle, Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill emphasized the importance of countering disinformation to preserve democracy.
The motion challenged the CCP’s interpretation of Resolution 2758, highlighting that it does not grant sovereignty over Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Taiwan’s representatives in Australia welcomed the Senate’s decision and condemned the CCP’s distortion of historical documents to assert sovereignty over Taiwan, applauding efforts to combat such disinformation.
