22-7-2023 (TAIPEI) Taiwan is investigating a possible leak of official documents, including classified reports and diplomatic cables, relating to the country’s bid to join a global trade pact. The documents were posted on online message board 8kun and were reviewed by Reuters. Two officials familiar with the probe said that some parts of the documents are real while other bits were forged. The officials, who asked not to be identified, said that parts of the documents appeared to be “authentic,” but they could not immediately determine the origin of the documents shared on the internet.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) said that it was aware of the “suspected government documents” posted online and that relevant government authorities were investigating and dealing with the source of such information. The NSB added that it was also investigating whether China, which claims Taiwan as its own, was involved in the incident. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment.
The incident comes as Beijing-linked hackers have reportedly accessed the email accounts of several top US officials, including the US ambassador to China. Taiwan is due to hold elections early next year 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 a classified “security assessment” in October by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau on the island’s CPTPP bid, 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 United States.
Taiwan and China both applied to join the CPTPP in 2021, a trade pact between 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. Britain is also set to join. Beijing has said that 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 Organization, designated as a separate customs territory called Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says that only Taiwanese people can decide their future. The island, which has a population of 23 million, is growing increasingly concerned about hacks and cyber attacks as it gears up for the presidential election, due in January. President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly warned of China’s attempts to influence public opinion ahead of the vote.
