US senators propose Taiwan undersea cable resilience bill

美議員提出台灣海底電纜韌性法案

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Amid a growing number of undersea cable disruptions near Taiwan in recent years, US senators on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at enhancing the resilience of Taipei's external communications network.

About 99% of Taiwan’s internet bandwidth relies on undersea cables, per CNA. Senators John Curtis and Jacky Rosen introduced the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act to safeguard this infrastructure and deter China’s gray zone operations.

The bill outlines a State Department-led initiative involving the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and the US Coast Guard. It calls for advanced monitoring systems, rapid response protocols, and international cooperation to prevent sabotage.

It encourages the US to aid Taiwan in protecting critical undersea cables. It supports using diplomatic pressure on Beijing to adhere to international norms and public diplomacy to raise awareness of China’s gray zone tactics.

The bill mandates that the secretary of state work with other agencies to help Taiwan deploy systems capable of detecting disruptions in real time. It also promotes intelligence sharing through global networks to give Taiwan early warnings.

The secretary of the Navy and the commandant of the US Coast Guard would coordinate with Taiwan’s Coast Guard and regional allies to track activity near cable routes. The US Coast Guard would assist in joint patrols in the Taiwan Strait and nearby waters to deter threats.

Sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, would be imposed on any Chinese individual or entity responsible for damaging cables tied to Taiwan’s national security. The bill also requires the administration to report regularly to Congress on emerging threats and responses.

“We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables,” Curtis said. He added that the bipartisan legislation sends a clear message: “the United States stands with Taiwan and our allies in defending shared infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom.”

Rosen said, “The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to target Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure don’t just threaten Taiwan’s national security, but connectivity and communication around the world.” The bill, she said, would “bolster collaboration between our two nations in order to protect these underground cables and impose sanctions on any adversary that targets this critical infrastructure.”

For the bill to become law, identical versions must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the president.