Taiwan probes alleged leak of classified reports, diplomatic cables
An official says some parts of the documents, which were posted online, are real but other parts were forged
21 July 2023 - 15:21
byYimou Lee
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
A Taiwanese flag flaps in the wind in Taoyuan, Taiwan. File photo: ANN WANG/REUTERS
Taipei — Taiwan is investigating a possible leak of official documents including diplomatic cables and classified reports on the island’s sensitive bid to join a global trade pact, according to two officials familiar with the probe.
One official said initial findings showed some parts of the documents, posted on online message board 8kun and reviewed by Reuters, are real while bits were forged, without giving details.
A second official said parts of the documents appeared to be “authentic” and they could not immediately determine the origin of the documents shared on the internet.
The officials asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
In response to Reuters’ questions, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) said it was aware of “suspected government documents” posted online and that relevant government authorities were “investigating and dealing with the source of such information”.
The NSB said it was also investigating whether China, which claims Taiwan as its own, was involved in the incident.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry largely echoed the NSB comments adding that it “was difficult to distinguish between true and false information online” and urged vigilance about sharing information from unknown sources.
The incident comes at a delicate time for the island, which is due to hold elections early in 2024 and is seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact despite objections from China which is also seeking to join.
The documents posted online include what purports to be a classified “security assessment” in October by Taiwan's top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, on the island’s CPTPP bid.
They include alleged diplomatic cables from Taiwan’s de facto embassies in Japan and Vietnam about the CPTPP applications by China and Taiwan, and another classified report this year by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington on its trade negotiations with the US.
Reuters has seen the documents but could not independently verify their authenticity.
Taiwan and China both applied in 2021 to join the CPTPP, a trade pact between 11 countries — Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain is also set to join.
Beijing has said it strongly opposes Taiwan's membership because Taiwan is part of China and therefore ineligible to join international bodies on its own. Taiwan is, however, a member of the World Trade Organisation, designated as a separate customs territory called Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says only Taiwanese people can decide their future.
The island of 23-million people is growing concerned about hacks and cyberattacks as it gears up for the presidential election, due in January.
President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling party is seeking to head off a challenge from opposition parties pledging friendlier ties with Beijing, has repeatedly warned of China’s attempts to influence public opinion ahead of the vote.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Taiwan probes alleged leak of classified reports, diplomatic cables
An official says some parts of the documents, which were posted online, are real but other parts were forged
Taipei — Taiwan is investigating a possible leak of official documents including diplomatic cables and classified reports on the island’s sensitive bid to join a global trade pact, according to two officials familiar with the probe.
One official said initial findings showed some parts of the documents, posted on online message board 8kun and reviewed by Reuters, are real while bits were forged, without giving details.
A second official said parts of the documents appeared to be “authentic” and they could not immediately determine the origin of the documents shared on the internet.
The officials asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
In response to Reuters’ questions, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) said it was aware of “suspected government documents” posted online and that relevant government authorities were “investigating and dealing with the source of such information”.
The NSB said it was also investigating whether China, which claims Taiwan as its own, was involved in the incident.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry largely echoed the NSB comments adding that it “was difficult to distinguish between true and false information online” and urged vigilance about sharing information from unknown sources.
The incident comes at a delicate time for the island, which is due to hold elections early in 2024 and is seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact despite objections from China which is also seeking to join.
The documents posted online include what purports to be a classified “security assessment” in October by Taiwan's top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, on the island’s CPTPP bid.
They include alleged diplomatic cables from Taiwan’s de facto embassies in Japan and Vietnam about the CPTPP applications by China and Taiwan, and another classified report this year by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington on its trade negotiations with the US.
Reuters has seen the documents but could not independently verify their authenticity.
Taiwan and China both applied in 2021 to join the CPTPP, a trade pact between 11 countries — Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain is also set to join.
Beijing has said it strongly opposes Taiwan's membership because Taiwan is part of China and therefore ineligible to join international bodies on its own. Taiwan is, however, a member of the World Trade Organisation, designated as a separate customs territory called Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says only Taiwanese people can decide their future.
The island of 23-million people is growing concerned about hacks and cyberattacks as it gears up for the presidential election, due in January.
President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling party is seeking to head off a challenge from opposition parties pledging friendlier ties with Beijing, has repeatedly warned of China’s attempts to influence public opinion ahead of the vote.
Reuters
Deadly landslide: remote Indian village crippled
Bitter harvest: Indonesia’s cassava project backfires
India faces green dilemma in drive for energy self-sufficiency
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Beijing braces for floods as inland areas battle with intense heat
Henry Kissinger in China as US seeks to mend frayed ties
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.