Taiwan is probing a Hong Kong-owned cargo ship suspected of damaging an undersea internet cable linking the island to global networks, amid increasing concerns about infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Taiwan Investigates Chinese-Linked Ship for Undersea Internet Cable Damage
Taiwan Investigates Chinese-Linked Ship for Undersea Internet Cable Damage
Authorities confirm a Hong Kong-owned vessel may be involved in the incident, raising concerns over Taiwan's infrastructure security.
Taiwanese officials are looking into a cargo ship with alleged ties to China that may have caused damage to an undersea internet cable situated northeast of Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese Coast Guard. The incident highlights ongoing worries regarding Taiwan’s critical infrastructure's susceptibility to potential threats from China.
The damage came on the heels of heightened tensions in Europe concerning attacks on undersea communication cables, where two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were severed in November. The Scandinavian nations responded by detaining a Chinese-flagged vessel suspected of involvement. In an efficient response to the damage, Taiwan’s main telecommunications provider, Chunghwa Telecom, quickly rerouted communications, ensuring no major outages followed.
Notifying authorities on Friday, Chunghwa Telecom reported the damage to the Trans-Pacific Express Cable, which is essential for connecting Taiwan with South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States. The Coast Guard subsequently intercepted a Hong Kong-owned cargo ship, crewed by seven Chinese nationals, near Keelung, an area where several cables reach the surface.
This damaged cable is one of the numerous undersea lines critical for Taiwan's internet connectivity. Their location in busy shipping lanes makes them vulnerable to accidental damage from ship anchors. Analysts warn that while proving intentional sabotage is challenging, such actions align with China's historical tactics of psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing Taiwan.
As investigations proceed, the incident underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and the ongoing discussions about cyber and physical security as integral parts of Taiwan's defenses against potential aggression from China.
The damage came on the heels of heightened tensions in Europe concerning attacks on undersea communication cables, where two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were severed in November. The Scandinavian nations responded by detaining a Chinese-flagged vessel suspected of involvement. In an efficient response to the damage, Taiwan’s main telecommunications provider, Chunghwa Telecom, quickly rerouted communications, ensuring no major outages followed.
Notifying authorities on Friday, Chunghwa Telecom reported the damage to the Trans-Pacific Express Cable, which is essential for connecting Taiwan with South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States. The Coast Guard subsequently intercepted a Hong Kong-owned cargo ship, crewed by seven Chinese nationals, near Keelung, an area where several cables reach the surface.
This damaged cable is one of the numerous undersea lines critical for Taiwan's internet connectivity. Their location in busy shipping lanes makes them vulnerable to accidental damage from ship anchors. Analysts warn that while proving intentional sabotage is challenging, such actions align with China's historical tactics of psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing Taiwan.
As investigations proceed, the incident underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and the ongoing discussions about cyber and physical security as integral parts of Taiwan's defenses against potential aggression from China.
