Taiwan Sea Cable Patrols Step Up in Face of China Threat

Intermediate | September 22, 2025

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What’s Going On: Taiwan Sea Cable Patrols

Taipei has ordered its coast guard to increase Taiwan sea cable patrols following growing threats from China’s “grey‑zone” tactics. (Reuters) These cables, including one called TP3, are critical for Taiwan’s connections to the internet and external systems. (Taiwan News)

The TP3 cable was found severed earlier this year by a Chinese‑crewed vessel registered under a flag of convenience. Officials in Taiwan held the captain responsible, and this incident has raised alarms about sabotage. (Reuters)

How Taiwan Is Responding

To protect these vital cables, the coast guard now runs 24‑hour Taiwan sea cable patrols around TP3 and other undersea cables. (Reuters) They have deployed radar stations, warning systems, and alert protocols for vessels approaching the cables, especially slow‑moving ships that may pose risk. (Tom’s Hardware)

Taiwan has blacklisted 96 China‑linked boats, many registered under foreign flags, for special monitoring. (Tom’s Hardware) In addition, nearly 400 other China‑linked vessels are on watchlists, since some cargo or utility vessels could potentially be used in disruptive or destructive actions. (Reuters)

Why This Matters: Security, Communication, Stability

Undersea cables carry almost all global internet traffic, so damage to them could severely disrupt communications, business, emergency services, and national security. (Taiwan News) Taiwan considers protections around TP3 essential because of how close the country is to China and how vulnerable these cables are to low‑visibility sabotage. (Reuters)

These “grey‑zone” tactics—actions that fall short of open warfare but still threaten stability—are increasing in many parts of the world. Taiwan is also sharing intelligence with allies about suspicious vessels to improve its defensive posture. (Reuters)

What’s Challenging

The efforts are stretching coast guard resources. Taiwan has about eight boats and nearly 500 officers dedicated to this mission, also responsible for other coast guard duties like rescue and law enforcement. (Reuters)

Officials say many of the blacklisted vessels use flags of convenience (registering in countries different from their operators) to hide origin or ownership. This makes identification and legal accountability harder. (Tom’s Hardware)

Vocabulary

Undersea cable (noun) – a cable laid on the ocean floor to carry telecommunications signals.
Example: The TP3 undersea cable connects Taiwan to the global internet.
Grey‑zone (adjective) – involving actions that are aggressive or threatening but do not cross the line into declared war.
Example: Taiwan says these sea cable sabotage attempts are grey‑zone tactics by China.
Severed (verb) – cut off or broken apart.
Example: The TP3 cable was severed earlier this year, raising security concerns.
Sabotage (noun / verb) – damage or destruction done on purpose to cause harm.
Example: Taiwan believes some incidents were sabotage rather than accidents.
Flag of convenience (noun) – when a ship is registered in one country but operated by people from another, often to avoid strict regulations.
Example: Several China‑linked vessels registered under foreign flags are under suspicion.
Blacklisted (adjective / verb) – being put on a list of disapproved persons or entities.
Example: Taiwan has blacklisted 96 China‑linked boats for monitoring.
Radar station (noun) – a facility that uses radar to detect objects, especially ships or aircraft.
Example: Radar stations help detect vessels that come too close to critical cables.
Alert protocol (noun) – a set of actions to follow when a threat is detected.
Example: The coast guard sends radio warnings under alert protocol before sending ships towards suspicious vessels.
Incursion (noun) – a sudden invasion or attack, especially in hostile territory.
Example: Taiwan officials claim recent incursion by foreign vessels threaten their undersea infrastructure.
Stability (noun) – the state of being steady and not likely to change suddenly.
Example: Protecting communication cables helps preserve national stability.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What are “grey‑zone” tactics, and why do they worry Taiwan in relation to its undersea cables?
Why is TP3 especially important to Taiwan’s security and internet connectivity?
How are flags of convenience complicating Taiwan’s efforts to secure sea cables?
What might happen if an undersea cable is severed or seriously damaged?
What are the trade‑offs Taiwan faces in dedicating many resources (boats and personnel) to this mission?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How important is undersea infrastructure (like internet cables) to national security in a world with increasing cyber and maritime threats?
What international laws or agreements might help in protecting undersea cables?
Should other countries help Taiwan or similar nations detect or deter sabotage at sea? How?
How do geography and proximity to other states affect a country’s vulnerability to grey‑zone actions?
Is surveillance (radar, patrols, intelligence sharing) enough, or are stronger preventive measures needed?

Related Idiom or Phrase

“Walking on eggshells” – being very cautious because danger feels close.
Example: Taiwan feels like it is walking on eggshells around TP3, monitoring every vessel that gets too near.

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This article was inspired by: Reuters