TAIPEI, TAIWAN: China has publicly named a Taiwanese spy in what was seen as tit-for-tat move following Taiwan's recent uncovering of a Chinese hacker network trying to obtain classified military information.

It tried to do so by planting a Trojan programme in the Taiwanese military's computer networks, according to Taiwan's China Times newspaper Wednesday(31 Oct).

Observers pointed out that Beijing could have a larger intention: To counter a recent spate of negative reports on Chinese hackers attacking foreign computer systems.

"Beijing is trying to say 'we are not the only country hacking into the computer systems of others'," said Professor Lin Chong-pin of Taiwan's Tamkang University.

"Taiwan was singled out because it is an easy pick," the former Taiwanese deputy defence minister told The Straits Times.

The Global Times, a weekday newspaper affiliated with the official People's Daily, on Monday (29 Oct) identified Lee Fang-rong as an alleged spy behind a string of attacks on Chinese government computer systems.

China's decision to make public otherwise secretive intelligence matters - especially when the alleged hacker is still at large - has surprised observers. "It could be intended as a warning to Taiwan. It could be Beijing's way of telling Taipei that it has seized crucial information on its spying activities," said military analyst Andrew Yang of the Taipei-based Chinese Council on Advanced Policy Studies.

The naming of the spy has also been interpreted by some as a stern warning to the island which is increasingly open about flexing its military muscle.

In the past month, Taiwan showcased its most lethal weapons during a rare military parade and confirmed reports that it is developing a graphite bomb designed to disable China's power supplies.

The so-called 'blackout bombs' work by sprinkling a cloud of chemically treated carbon fibres to cause a short-circuit.

To counter China's hacking attempts, the Taiwanese military has set up information warfare forces which are tasked with safeguarding and monitoring the government's computer systems, as well as devising counter-warfare strategies.

The military, which has identified information warfare as a top priority in a five-year military review plan, has earmarked NT$90 billion (US$2.80 billion) for this purpose.

The Defence Ministry has also stepped up other anti-hacking measures, such as halting the practice of sending press releases and alerts to the media via e-mail.

Military analysts said China had sought to develop cyber warfare capability as part of the so-called 'assassin's mace'. The term refers to an unconventional weapon or strategy which can tilt the balance of war against a stronger party, such as the US.

In the event of a cross-strait conflict, China could technically use its cyber warfare capability to deter or delay US aircraft carriers coming to Taiwan's aid.

One possible method would be to distort information transmitted to US commanders via satellites, say analysts. China had demonstrated its anti-satellite capability by shooting down an old Chinese weather satellite this year.

"In terms of cyber warfare capability, Taiwan can only use 'soft weapons' such as infiltrating into China's computer systems," Yang told The Straits Times.

"But China has at its disposable 'hard weapons' such as anti-satellite missiles."

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has riled China by vowing to hold a referendum on the island's bid to join the United Nations under the name 'Taiwan', instead of its official title 'Republic of China'.

Beijing fears that the legally-binding vote could pave the way for a change in Taiwan's title. (By ONG HWEE HWEE/ The Straits Times/ ANN)