Undersea cables, often referred to as the world’s information super-highways, are responsible for carrying 95% of international data. Indispensable for communication and transmitting intelligence, they have become a geopolitical and security concern. Taipei operates 14 international undersea cables and 10 more linking the island to its archipelago.
In March 2024, Google began the construction of the TPU (Taiwan, Philippines, United States) cable. Amidst growing regional tensions, a subsea cable directly linking Taiwan to the United States takes significant geopolitical importance. Ensuring the resilience of the former has become an issue of national security given that for the period 2019-2023, lines were cut 27 times.1
In February 2023 Taiwan was reminded of their critical importance when two sea cables connecting Matsu Island with the main island were severed by Chinese ships, leaving Matsu residents with no effective connection. Quickly denounced by some as an act of sabotage, there is no hard proof testifying that the cables were intentionally cut. Frequently, submarine cables can be damaged due to steel nets or anchors. However, this extent of breakage was unusual, and Matsu had no effective communication for two months. Therefore, Matsu would have been in a critical situation in the event of a military attack.
The Taiwan National Security Bureau in May 2024 suggested that the Parliament should upgrade the subsea cables status’ to that of “critical infrastructure.” This measure would allow the unlocking of substantial funding and resources which could then be used to increase the cables’ surveillance and protection.
Today, Taiwan relies on international third parties for repairs. A way to improve self-reliance could be by acquiring a repairing ship, a choice made by the United Kingdom by developing the Multi-Role (MROSS).
The Taiwanese government has been seeking to improve cyber resilience and reduce its dependence on submarine cables by increasing its investment in geostationary satellites. In April 2024 Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) announced the establishment of signal connectivity with a newly-launched satellite network system on Taiping Island, significantly improving communication efficiency.2
As Taiwan is at the forefront of global technological development, securing underseas cables and cyber communication resilience remains a top priority for its agenda, representing a further challenge to address in the maritime territory.
- “中華民國僑務委員會.” 2025. Ocac.gov.tw. 2025. https://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/Eng/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=329&pid=64193692. ↩︎
- English, CNA. 2024. “Taiwan Upgrades Satellite Network System on Taiping Island – Focus Taiwan.” Focus Taiwan – CNA English News. April 18, 2024. https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202404180021. ↩︎
Taiwan Center for Security Studies 