Taiwan's Submarine Cable Disruptions Prompt Government Action on Communication Infrastructure

The frequency of submarine cable disruptions around Taiwan has prompted government action to strengthen the island’s communication infrastructure. In the most recent incident, a Togolese-flagged cargo ship with Chinese backing, the “Hongtai,” allegedly severed the third Taiwan-Penghu submarine cable. This has raised concerns about how to defend against these “gray zone” threats to critical infrastructure. Minister of Digital Development Huang Yan-nan announced today that cross-departmental drills will be intensified, and plans are underway to expand microwave communication capacity between Taiwan and Penghu next year to enhance backup communication systems.

Government Response to Cable Disruptions

Minister Huang appeared before the Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan today to report on departmental operations and answer questions. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Xu Fugui expressed concern about Taiwan’s position as a crucial communication hub in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that at least four submarine cable disruptions have occurred this year alone. He questioned how the Ministry of Digital Development would collaborate with other government departments to address and prevent such incidents.

Huang explained that both domestic and international submarine cables are now classified as critical infrastructure. Consequently, the Ministry of Digital Development has been conducting joint drills with the National Communications Commission (NCC), Coast Guard Administration, Maritime and Port Bureau, and the Mainland Affairs Council. When unusual activities are detected near submarine cables, such as vessels lingering in proximity, warnings are issued. These regular drills enabled the Coast Guard to promptly detain the cargo ship involved in the recent Taiwan-Penghu cable severance.

“We will continue these drills to ensure immediate response to threats against submarine cables,” Huang stated. “Simultaneously, we’re strengthening international cooperation in emergency response and technical exchanges to secure multiple backup channels.”

Expanding Backup Infrastructure

The third Taiwan-Penghu cable was completely severed on February 25. To maintain communications with the outlying islands of Penghu and Kinmen, Taiwan relies on several other submarine cables, including the Taiwan-Penghu No. 2, Penghu-Kinmen No. 3, and Taiwan-Kinmen No. 2 cables. The Ministry has instructed Chunghwa Telecom to emergency-reallocate cable communications capacity.

Minister Huang outlined additional backup measures under development. “We’re currently constructing the Taiwan-Matsu No. 4 submarine cable, expected to be completed by June 2026,” he said. “We’re also deploying microwave systems and low-orbit satellites to maintain network bandwidth if submarine cables are cut.”

As part of this effort, the ministry plans to expand the microwave communication capacity between Penghu and Chiayi by 1.92 gigabits. The ministry later clarified that existing microwave connections between Taiwan and Penghu will undergo expansion, with construction set to begin in January next year.

AI Regulatory Framework Development

DPP legislator Xu Zhijie also raised questions about the importance of establishing a basic artificial intelligence law to set broad guidelines, suggesting that the Ministry of Digital Development would be the appropriate authority to oversee such legislation.

Huang noted that while basic laws typically don’t specify a governing agency, the Executive Yuan has recently directed that the Ministry of Digital Development will be responsible for promoting and interpreting the AI Basic Law. The ministry will develop various subsidiary regulations, including data management guidelines and AI risk classification systems.

Taiwan’s proactive approach to strengthening its communication infrastructure highlights the growing importance of digital resilience in the face of increasing threats to critical submarine cable networks that form the backbone of global internet connectivity.