China

Peoples Daily | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

In 2025, Chinese mainland authorities investigated and managed nearly 4,000 cyber attacks originating from Taiwan, marking a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year. These cyber operations targeted the theft of classified information from key sectors such as transportation, finance, science and technology, and energy.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council revealed that some of the cyber attacks were carried out by Taiwan-based organizations, including the military. Mainland officials also denied allegations from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party that China had initiated cyber attacks against Taiwan, calling these claims a blatant distortion of the truth.

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Peng Qing'en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, criticized the Lai Ching-te authorities for exaggerating the so-called "mainland threat." He accused them of escalating confrontation and antagonism across the Taiwan Straits, actions he said contradict the island's mainstream public opinion favoring peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation.

Peng made these remarks in response to a case involving a man surnamed Qiao, from a Taiwan-based airline, who was sentenced to six months in prison for bribery. Qiao was accused of attempting to obtain secrets from an official of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council on behalf of a mainland intelligence agency, related to commissioned research projects.

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. to the UN, stated on January 21, 2026, that Japan is fundamentally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He argued that Japan cannot shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security nor gain the trust of the global community.

Sun highlighted that the Security Council is central to upholding the postwar international order and that Japan's historical militarism has not been fully addressed. Despite the Tokyo trials punishing Japanese war criminals 80 years ago, right-wing forces in Japan have sought to whitewash wartime atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre and forced labor, while revising history textbooks and honoring Class-A war criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine.

He also criticized Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, for provocative remarks on Taiwan, pro-nuclear positions, and efforts to revise security policies, which Sun viewed as a push toward remilitarization that threatens regional and global security.

Sun concluded that a country that denies its wartime crimes, challenges World War II outcomes, and disregards the postwar order cannot be trusted with the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council member. China, as a current permanent member, expressed its willingness to collaborate with peace-loving nations to uphold the postwar order and maintain the Security Council's authority and unity.