Following China’s potential invasion of Taiwan, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation designed to improve Taiwan’s cybersecurity and help the country avoid China from invading.
Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced “The Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act,” which would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan.
“We must push back on the Chinese Communist Party’s growing aggression, and its attempts to undermine democracy around the world – including through hostile cyber actions. All too often, we’ve seen Taiwan used as a testing ground for China’s cyberattacks later used against the United States,” Rosen said.
“As a former computer programmer, I know that by collaborating with key democratic partners like Taiwan, we can more effectively counter cyberthreats from China at home and help defend our partners around the world,” she added.
Inbox: Today a group of U.S. Senators introduced the Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act, which would require the DOD to expand cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan in the face of cyber threats from China. pic.twitter.com/nxmP2jcRyV
— Tonya Riley (@TonyaJoRiley) April 20, 2023
Rounds agreed with Rosen and reiterated that Taiwan’s security is vital to the U.S.’s national security.
“With increasing aggressiveness by the People’s Republic of China toward Taiwan, this legislation will help deter and, if necessary, defeat an attack by the PRC on Taiwan. Strengthening Taiwan’s military cyber capabilities is one of multiple measures needed to build Taiwan into a well-armed porcupine,” Rounds said.
The lawmakers said that in 2019, China was responsible for nearly 40 million cyberattacks each month against Taiwan, “some of which were later used against the United States.”
China recently ordered naval and air drills over Taiwan after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s trip to California, where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
China sanctioned the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Hudson Institute for hosting Ing-wen. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that both organizations would be banned from any cooperation, exchange, or transaction with institutions and individuals in China.
“The Hudson Institute and the Reagan Library have provided a platform and facilitated Tsai’s separatist activities… which seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said.
The bipartisan legislation that passed the Senate seeks to defend Taiwan’s cybersecurity infrastructure while requiring U.S. officials to receive cybersecurity training. Its goal is to eliminate the threat posed by China’s cyberattacks.
Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) introduced the House version of the bill.
