Submarine cables, the unseen lifelines of global communication and data exchange, are critical to the functioning of the modern world. Recently, an incident involving Chunghwa Telecom—a company based in the Taiwan region—has drawn significant attention. In early January, reports surfaced of submarine cable damage, leading to accusations of sabotage directed at the Chinese mainland.
Addressing these allegations, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, dismissed them as “baseless” during a press briefing on January 8. “The DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) authorities made baseless assumptions and deliberately exaggerated the incident as a so-called ‘gray zone threat’ despite the basic facts and accident liability remaining unclear,” Chen stated.
Experts emphasize that the unpredictable nature of seismic activity makes it challenging to determine when and where a submarine cable might suffer damage. The complex underwater environment, coupled with natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, poses constant risks to these vital communication links.
The incident highlights the broader issue of submarine cable vulnerability and the importance of international cooperation in maintaining these essential infrastructures. As global dependence on digital connectivity grows, ensuring the resilience and security of submarine cables becomes ever more crucial.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
