Sophos research has revealed that Chinese state-backed hackers infiltrated a Southeast Asian government department for two years, targeting sensitive documents related to the South China Sea strategy. This breach is part of a broader trend, as Western intelligence agencies have issued warnings regarding the increasing use of malicious mobile applications by Beijing's security services. These applications are reportedly being used to surveil Taiwanese independence activists, Tibetan rights advocates, and others who oppose the Chinese government. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has also raised alarms about spyware threats directed at the Chinese and Taiwanese diaspora.