How undersea communication cables surrounding Taiwan could be targeted by China

Video explains how vital fiber optic subsea communication lines are vulnerable to damage or sabotage.

May 15, 2025 - 05:00
182123
How undersea communication cables surrounding Taiwan could be targeted by China

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Submarine communication cables are critical for modern life: for security, economic prosperity and connecting people.

Experts warn that the cables serving Taiwan and its high-tech economy are vulnerable not just to wear-and-tear and accidents, but sabotage.

In early 2025, a Chinese cargo ship was suspected of damaging the submarine cables between Taiwan and its outlying Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait.

That incident highlighted the risks facing self-ruling Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, from so-called “gray-zone” activities - acts of aggression against an adversary that fall short of being acts of war.

Radio Free Asia interviewed Huang Shengxiong, chairman of the Taiwan Internet Information Center, about the potential impact if China damages Taiwan’s submarine cables.

This article has been sourced from various publicly available news platforms around the world. All intellectual property rights remain with the original publishers and authors. Unshared News does not claim ownership of the content and provides it solely for informational and educational purposes voluntarily. If you are the rightful owner and believe this content has been used improperly, please contact us for prompt removal or correction.