Chinese mainland vows continued crackdown on cyberattacks initiated by Taiwan organization

BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday vowed to intensify its crackdown on cyberattacks carried out by an organization of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a question about a wanted list released in early June.

The wanted list, issued by police in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, names 20 suspects accused of participating in cyberattacks launched by Taiwan's "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM)."

Zhu said recent law enforcement actions by mainland public security agencies represent a firm response to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and specifically target the illicit activities of ICEFCOM.

The evidence of DPP authorities orchestrating frequent and indiscriminate cyberattacks against mainland network infrastructure through ICEFCOM is "clear and conclusive," Zhu said.

Zhu reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. "Anyone who endangers national sovereignty, security, or development interests will face legal consequences," she added.

Zhu said that law-based actions will be taken against the DPP authorities' illegal activities, including cyberattacks conducted in collusion with external forces.

"We will continue to take effective measures in accordance with the law to hold the perpetrators accountable. There will be no leniency," she said.