The new incidents involving damaged undersea cables close to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands are a stark reminder of how weak the digital infrastructure in the area is. These cable breaks serve as a stark reminder of Taiwan and its modern connectivity’s dangers, even though it is still unclear whether they were deliberate. Concerns about the security and resilience of crucial modern infrastructure have grown due to the threat of cyberwarfare and the rising hostilities between the United States and China. Policymakers must address these issues and guarantee the stability and dependability of the region’s online networks.
U.S.-China Tensions and Digital Infrastructure
The region’s modern infrastructure, especially in Hong Kong, has been significantly impacted by the ongoing hostilities between the United States and China. Hong Kong’s status as a significant internet traffic hub has been harmed by the United States’ refusal to grant American companies licenses for undersea cable projects involving Foreign businesses or direct connections to China. As a result, projects like the Bay to Bay Express Cable System and Pacific Link Cable Network had to be rerouted to end in Taiwan and the Philippines, which impacted Hong Kong’s connectivity position.
Emerging Problems in the Sea of South China
The South China Sea’s assertiveness in China has exacerbated the doubts surrounding the region, home to crucial online infrastructure. To prevent potential disruptions brought on by China’s maritime claims, undersea cable projects connecting the U.S. West Coast to Singapore— which would typically pass through Japan and Hong Kong— have been rerouted to avoid the South China Sea. Delays and complications have also been brought on by China’s demands for involvement in undersea cable projects in the South China Sea.
The requirement for resilience and security
The Matsu incident should never be viewed as a stand-alone event; instead, it should serve as an impetus for Taiwan, East Asia, and Southeast Asia to improve the resilience and security of their crucial digital infrastructure. The Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience and the Group of Seven( G7) digital ministers’ meeting have emphasized how essential it is to address these issues. The following steps must be taken:
- To reduce the effects of disruptions, ensure data route diversity and redundancy.
- By working with international organizations, you can improve the security of underwater cable routes.
- With the aid of organizations like the World Bank, support crucial modern infrastructure projects in underserved areas.
- To support high-quality undersea cable systems in the Indo-Pacific region, quadruple the efforts of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India.
Taiwan’s Part in Increasing Digital Resilience
Taiwan must proactively improve its online resilience and guarantee unbroken connectivity. Although the government’s investment in satellite systems is admirable, it should be viewed as a backup more than an alternative to fiber-optic cables. Taiwan should think about the following options:
- Work with the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience to use their knowledge and resources.
- To support bandwidth growth for online economies, work with Japan and South Korea to co-invest in advanced undersea cable projects.
- To increase online transformation and data trade opportunities, create a South Asian digital trade and technology pact.
- Encourage local partners to work together on shipbuilding, undersea cable laying, and repair projects to speed up assistance in case of disruptions.
In conclusion
Subsequent events close to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands are a stark reminder of the urgent need to improve the security and resilience of East and East Asian critical digital infrastructure. The region can reduce risks, improve connectivity, and guarantee the continuous flow of electric information essential to economic growth and cultural well-being by encouraging international collaboration, investing in cutting-edge undersea cable projects, and creating strategic partnerships.