Targeting Taiwan Beijing’s Playbook for Economic and Cyber Warfare

Craig Singleton & RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

Source Link

Introduction

“The complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and it will definitely be fulfilled,” declared Xi Jinping on the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Revolution of 1911, underscoring Taiwan’s reintegration into China as a core element of his vision for the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), using minimal military force and preserving Taiwan’s infrastructure and economy during reunification are paramount.

A cyber-enabled economic coercion campaign is the CCP’s most strategic and logical approach to realizing this long-term national priority.

The CCP’s strategy to win without fighting is not new. In writings by ancient strategists Sun Tzu and Kautilya, undermining enemy morale and cohesion plays a prominent role. But modern globalization has created more economic connections that China can exploit to achieve coercive aims. Technological innovation created even more digital connections, offering more possibilities for coercion, including through the targeting of critical infrastructure.