Cyberattack on Pacific Islands Forum: Chinese Hackers Suspected
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat was recently targeted in a cyberattack, allegedly perpetrated by Chinese government hackers. This breach, detected in February 2024, compromised sensitive information related to the forum’s activities and communications with its member states.
Australian cybersecurity experts were swiftly dispatched to Suva, Fiji, to investigate the incident. Although the PIF has confirmed the attack, the investigation remains ongoing, with the source of the attack still undetermined. However, Australian authorities suspect China, an accusation Beijing vehemently denies.
This incident further strains relations in the wake of the recent PIF summit, during which China strongly objected to the mention of Taiwan as a developing partner in the forum’s communiqué.
The cyberattack, detected several months prior to the summit, was reportedly extensive in nature. While PIF member states were informed, no public disclosure or formal accusation against China was made.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific. Beijing’s failed attempts to forge trade and defense agreements with 10 island nations in 2022 and its subsequent agreement with the Solomon Islands in April have raised concerns about China’s expanding influence and potential military presence in the region.
In response, Australia is strengthening its cybersecurity and defense presence, recently signing a cybersecurity agreement with Vanuatu. Australian experts have been actively assisting neighboring countries with cybersecurity matters, though many such missions remain undisclosed.
