Taiwan on High Alert

Taiwan is on high alert as investigations unfold regarding a ship potentially linked to China that may have caused damage to an essential undersea internet cable, highlighting the increasing vulnerabilities of Taiwan's infrastructure amidst rising tensions with China.

The Damaged Cable

The damaged cable, known as the Trans-Pacific Express Cable, is part of a web of critical connections linking Taiwan to other major nations, including South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States. This incident happens against a backdrop of growing anxiety in Europe regarding similar acts of sabotage, particularly following the severing of two fiber-optic cables under the Baltic Sea last November, which led to heightened suspicion towards a Chinese-flagged commercial ship operating in the vicinity.

Swift Response to Damage

Immediately upon detection of the damage, communications in Taiwan were rerouted efficiently, avoiding any substantial outages. Taiwan's leading telecommunications provider, Chunghwa Telecom, received notification about the cable damage on Friday morning, prompting swift action.

Coast Guard Interception

In an interesting twist, Taiwan's Coast Guard intercepted a cargo vessel near the northern port city of Keelung later that same day. The ship is owned by a Hong Kong company and crewed by seven Chinese nationals. The cargo vessel is registered under the flags of both Cameroon and Tanzania, raising suspicions regarding its legitimacy. “The possibility of a Chinese flag-of-convenience ship engaging in gray zone harassment cannot be ruled out,” the Coast Guard noted.

Concerns Over Sabotage Tactics

Experts and officials are concerned that any deliberate attempts to sabotage these crucial cables could fall in line with China's broader strategy of psychological warfare aimed at undermining Taiwan's defenses. Yisuo Tzeng from the Institute for National Defense and Security Research expressed that such harassment tactics, while not amounting to outright confrontation, gradually desensitize Taiwan’s defenses, making the island more susceptible to surprise attacks during heightened conflict.

Aggressive Maneuvers From China

In a broader context, Taiwan is no stranger to aggressive maneuvers from the People's Liberation Army, experiencing near-daily incursions into its airspace and territorial waters. Just last month, nearly 90 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were spotted in the area, marking the most significant military operation around Taiwan in nearly three decades.

Worrying Trajectory of Coercion

The incident concerning the undersea cable follows a worrying trajectory of increasing Chinese coercion, which has “stepped up” significantly in recent years, according to Gregory Poling from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Disturbingly, the identity of the ship involved in this latest incident has been obscured, complicating the response by Taiwanese authorities.

Bizarre Behavior of the Vessel

Analysis of ship tracking data reveals bizarre behavior from the vessel in question. It reportedly transmitted its position under at least two different names, raising suspicions about its true identity. Initial reports indicated the ship, named Shun Xing 39, stopped transmitting its location at a critical time—coinciding precisely with when the cable damage was reported. Shortly afterward, a vessel identified as Xing Shun 39 began broadcasting nearby, leading to increased scrutiny.

Challenges in Investigation

Investigative efforts have been hampered by weather conditions, with the Taiwan Coast Guard unable to board the cargo vessel for further examination due to rough seas. Taiwan is now seeking assistance from South Korea, given that the vessel claimed it was en route to that country. This incident echoes past events, such as in 2023 when the outlying Matsu Islands experienced significant internet disruptions after two undersea cables were severed.

Implications for Cybersecurity

As tensions escalate, the implications of this incident may resonate far beyond just internet connectivity—serving as a critical reminder of the fragility of global communication networks and the need for heightened cybersecurity measures. Will these vulnerabilities spur greater international collaboration to fortify defenses against evolving threats? Only time will tell.