Taiwan has stepped up cybersecurity cooperation with the US and intends to take part in planned cybersecurity exercises, a senior Taiwanese official stationed in Washington said on Thursday.
“Cybersecurity cooperation is an important part of Taiwan-US relations,” Deputy Representative to the US Leo Lee (李澄然) said, adding that this cooperation includes information exchanges and assistance in manpower training.
“Joint training exercises are also good for cooperation and we look forward to taking part in drills being planned by the US authorities,” Lee said.
However, the two sides have yet to formally talk about cooperation in this area, he said.
Representative to the US King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) had lunch with senior officials from the US Department of Homeland Security earlier on Thursday and cybersecurity was one of the issues discussed.
The US government is working to toughen its cybersecurity measures after computer systems at major public institutions and corporations reportedly fell victim to an unprecedented rash of cyberattacks from China-based hackers.
The White House has listed the war against cyberattacks on major US government institutions and large conglomerates as one of its top priorities.
The US Department of State, the US Trade Representative Office and the US Department of Commerce have all begun to draft measures and administrative strategies to minimize the risks of business secrets or classified information being stolen by hackers.
Washington-based security experts and academics have described Chinese cyberattacks against major institutions in the US capital as rampant and ubiquitous, with the targets ranging from law firms, think tanks and media outlets to human rights groups, congressional offices and government agencies.
Lee said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US pays a great deal of attention to cybersecurity because Taiwan has also been a primary target of Chinese cyberattacks.
Lee said each staff member at the office has two computers, one of which is used for Internet searches, while the other has a physical isolation switch that disconnects it from the Internet.
The arrangement aims to prevent any leaks of sensitive information, Lee said.
Moreover, he said, Taiwan’s security agencies regularly send personnel to the country’s overseas offices to inspect their cybersecurity measures and facilities.
“We spare no effort to ensure cybersecurity,” Lee added.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
RSS