Military

Europe and Taiwan Shine Spotlight on Threats to Undersea Cables

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By Alex Chen/Alan Lu

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Taiwan and Europe face similar challenges in protecting their undersea cables from damage caused by malicious actors. An event in Taipei aims to strengthen cooperation and find ways to prevent future incidents.

**Protecting Undersea Cables: Taiwan and Europe Seek Stronger Cooperation**

 

Taiwan and Europe share similar challenges when it comes to protecting their undersea cables. Both have faced threats from China-linked vessels in recent years, but an event in Taipei aims to find ways for both sides to boost cooperation and prevent such attacks.

 

Taiwan’s undersea cables are under threat – about eight are damaged every year, often by suspicious civilian vessels. Why is this happening? Experts and officials are meeting in Taipei to discuss how Taiwan can work with international partners to make the network more secure.

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung says the country has a lot to learn from Europe, which faces similar threats.

 

Lin Chia-lung (TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTER):  

Taiwan is also facing a challenge from submarine cable disruptions. This has become quite evident in European countries in recent years. In this regard, Taiwan and European countries are jointly launching this initiative.

 

REPORTER:  

Rihards Kols, a member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, says 46 incidents were recorded worldwide just last year — the highest in more than a decade — and cases with strategic motives or suspicious proximity are clearly on the rise, meaning more global cooperation is needed.

 

Rihards Kols (MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT):  

We need real-time data sharing between the allies and partners. Clear mechanisms for attribution of responsibility and consequences for those who try to disrupt economic, political, diplomatic or deliberate sabotage.

 

REPORTER:  

The discussion comes as Taiwan steps up efforts to strengthen its undersea cable laws. Starting Thursday, the legislature will review proposed amendments to laws related to the supply of electricity, natural gas and water, all part of the country’s “Seven Undersea Cable Bills.”

 

As Taiwan gears up to review its legal tools to protect its undersea cables, learning from its international allies, and strengthening collaboration efforts is becoming more crucial than ever.