Taiwan, Marshall Islands sign security pact amid growing hybrid threats

Taipei, June 4 (CNA) Taiwan and its Pacific ally, the Marshall Islands, inked a pact in Taipei on Wednesday that will pave the way for both sides to deepen their security partnership amid growing hybrid threats in the region.

The letter of intent was signed by Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) head Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) and the Marshallese top diplomat Kalani Kaneko, the NSB said in a news release.

Kaneko is part of a delegation led by President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, who arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a six-day visit.

According to the statement, the pact aims to help the Pacific island state enhance its security through collaborations in areas such as "maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity and countering foreign malign influence."

The statement said the two sides would engage in information sharing, capacity-building programs and joint operations, without providing further details.

Such a pact was signed against the backdrop of China's attempts to expand its influence in the South Pacific by "launching cyberattacks, spreading disinformation and other activities in recent years," the statement said.

The statement also cited Heine's comments in 2024 that the Marshall Islands established a National Security Office in response to foreign maritime threats and infiltration into the country.

Taiwan is deeply concerned about the various hybrid threats facing its diplomatic allies and is ready to strengthen cooperation with them to jointly "enhance cybersecurity" and "counter the Chinese Communist Party's cognitive warfare abroad," according to the statement.