Taiwan has made protecting its 24 submarine cables, essential for its Internet connection and digital economy, a matter of national security. The Coast Guard has deployed maritime patrols 24/7 and early warning systems to monitor an increasingly exposed area, which experts describe as tactics of “gray zone warfare”.
The new protocol pays particular attention to 96 vessels identified as linked to China and nearly 400 additional ships that could be repurposed for maritime harassment operations. The strategy aims to optimize resources in an asymmetrical context, as the Taiwanese Coast Guard has far fewer means than its mainland neighbor.
A precedent that marked a shift in doctrine
The trigger was the TP3 cable incident, cut in February after maneuvers by the Togolese-flagged cargo ship Hong Tai with a Chinese crew. Subsequent investigations led to the prosecution and conviction of the captain, setting a judicial precedent that accelerated the adoption of a more aggressive surveillance policy. Today, patrol boats receive automatic alerts when a vessel reduces speed within one kilometer of the cables, activating radio warning protocols and possible interdiction.
The digital Achilles’ heel
Submarine cables carry over 95% of international data traffic, including government, financial, and logistical communications. Despite their importance, protecting them is challenging: they stretch thousands of miles beneath the sea and are only constantly monitored at anchor points. An isolated cut can often be mitigated with alternative routes, but coordinated attacks or targeting key nodes could cause significant service degradation.
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Technology in the service of security
The protection measures combine coastal radars, satellite imagery, AIS systems, and dynamic exclusion protocols. The patrol vessels, such as the PP-10079 — featured in recent reports — are the front line of a strategy that no longer relies solely on passive monitoring but also involves collecting digital evidence for potential legal actions.
This approach reinforces the idea that safeguarding Internet infrastructure is no longer just a technical matter but also geopolitical and legal. International cooperation, standardization of protocols, and clear responsibility attribution will be key to countering the threat.
A channel under constant pressure
Taipei faces a delicate balancing act: responding to the “gray zone warfare” without escalating to open conflict, while ensuring the resilience of its digital infrastructure. For Taiwanese society, which depends on these cables for nearly every aspect of modern life, constant vigilance has become the unavoidable price of connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many submarine cables connect Taiwan to the rest of the world?
A total of 24 submarine cables connect the island to global Internet, carrying over 95% of its international data traffic.
What does “gray zone warfare” applied to submarine cables mean?
It refers to harassment or sabotage tactics aimed at weakening the adversary without resorting to open military confrontation, exploiting the difficulty in attributing responsibility.
What protection measures have been implemented?
Permanent maritime patrols, coastal radars, automatic alerts within one kilometer of the cables, and exclusion protocols activating rapid interdictions.
What would be the impact of multiple coordinated sabotages?
While an isolated cut can be rerouted, simultaneous attacks on several cables or key nodes could severely degrade the island’s connectivity, impacting finance, logistics, and critical services.
Sources: Taipei Times, Taiwan News, Maritime Reporter, MarineLink, Marine Insight, tomshardware and Reuters