Cyber Warfare: China's Strategy to Dominate in Cyber Space

China's INEW (Integrated Network Electronic Warfare) doctrine combining network attack with electronic warfare supports the use of cyberwarfare in future conflict. In addition, China's Information Warfare (IW) militia unit organization provides each Chinese regional commander with unique network attack, exploitation, and defense capabilities. IW unit training focuses on improving network attack skills during military exercises. The integration of IW militia units with commercial technology companies provides infrastructure and technical support that enables the units to conduct more successful operations. IW units gather intelligence on an adversary's networks, identifying critical nodes and security weaknesses. Armed with this intelligence, these units are capable of conducting network attacks that disrupt or destroy the identified critical nodes of an enemy's C4ISR assets. In an effort to regain its former status, China is pursuing the strategic goal of reunification of its claimed sovereign territories and lands using economic influence as its primary means, however, it will resort to military force if necessary. Recent cyber activities attributed to China suggest that network exploitation is currently underway there and is providing military, political, and economic information to the Chinese Communist Party. China views Taiwan and the United States as major threats to the CCP.