Information warfare across the Taiwan strait

Abstract

Many security analysts believe advances in information technologies are producing changes in economy, government, and society that make information warfare an important aspect of the conflict between China and Taiwan. This study introduces the concept of information warfare and finds that Chinese and, to a lesser extent, Taiwanese strategists have developed distinctive approaches to it. Despite limited technological resources and a reputation for political constraints on innovation, China made early efforts to adopt technologies, organizational forms, and strategies to facilitate information warfare. In the event of war, Beijing hopes to disrupt advanced Taiwanese and American network-dependent economies, governments, and militaries while protecting access to the more limited information it requires. Taiwan is building information warfare capabilities by drawing on both its advanced information technology firms and US assistance. American policymakers should take steps to prevent the emergence of information warfare in the context of the cross-strait rivalry from undermining deterrence and crisis stability.