Taiwan strengthens protection of undersea cables

Taiwan is strengthening security measures around undersea communication cables located near the island after a vessel linked to China damaged one of these cables in the north of the island. 

In response to the incident, local military forces will work jointly with the coast guard to monitor suspicious vessel activity in the area.

Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Ku stated that the country’s Navy would support the coast guard in monitoring and responding to any potential threats to undersea communications. He emphasised that the military would closely coordinate its actions with border guards, helping to ensure security at the locations of the marine cables.

"In the event of an emergency, the coast guard will act first, and the navy will join the operations if necessary," Ku said while speaking to journalists in parliament.

The Director-General of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, Tsai Min-yen, stated that the government had already established information sharing with "international friends" to track Chinese maritime activity in the so-called "grey zone," although details of this initiative were not disclosed.

Tsai added that particular attention would be paid to vessels flying "convenient flags" — registered in other countries but actually owned by Chinese companies or the state, as they could be used by China in the waters around Taiwan.