Taiwan security agency flags rise in Chinese disinformation ahead of local elections

By Yimou Lee TAIPEI, Oct 21 (Reuters) China spread more than 2.5 million pieces of disputed or false online information targeting Taiwan in the first nine months of this year, the island s top intelligence agency said, accusing Beijing of ​stepping up operations ahead of local elections. In a report to lawmakers this week, ‌Taiwan s National Security Bureau said such information rose by about 48% in the first nine months of 2026 to more than 2.5 million items from more than 1.69 million a year earlier. It said the China-originated content focused on energy, food security and defence policy, as well as the platforms and images of ‌specific ​candidates, in an effort to influence Taiwan s elections for city ⁠mayors and county magistrates in ⁠November. China s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing, which views Taiwan as its own territory over the island s objections, has previously denied interfering in Taiwanese elections or spreading disinf