Crucial Taiwan undersea cable severed by old shipwreck — backup microwave communications activated to keep population connected

Dongyin island, the northernmost part of Taiwan and located barely 30 miles from mainland China, has lost its undersea cable linking it to Beigan Island. These two small islands are part of the Matsu Islands, which sit strategically at the northern part of the Taiwan Strait. According to Reuters, bad weather has caused a shipwreck sitting on the seafloor to shift its location, severing the underwater link. Because of this, the government has activated the island’s backup microwave communications link, allowing the 1,500 people on the island to continue enjoying mobile and internet services, although with some delays, depending on the weather.

Even though the island is small and sparsely populated, the Taiwanese military reportedly has a heavy presence in the area owing to its proximity to China. More importantly, its location close to the Chinese coast and the northern mouth of the Taiwan Strait makes it a strategically important position, as it could serve as a forward operating base to control access to the narrow body of water separating Taiwan and China. Dongyin, notably, does not have an airport and is only accessible via ferry service.

Although this latest incident was caused by natural forces and not an action by a third-party actor, it still highlights Taiwan’s vulnerability in its connection to the rest of the world. This isn’t the first time that the Matsu Islands have lost their undersea cable. Reuters said that in 2023, two undersea cables were cut by Chinese vessels, although it was determined that it was an accident and not a deliberate action.

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Nevertheless, there have been recent incidents in which Chinese ships are suspected of deliberately damaging undersea internet cables around the main island. Given the threat to Taiwan, its navy and coast guard have increased defensive patrols on the 24 underwater links around the island. It’s also keeping a close eye on 96 vessels that have been blacklisted and are suspected of have links with China. Taiwanese lawmakers even increased the penalty for those who are suspected of attempting to sabotage undersea cables, with offenders facing up to 7 years imprisonment plus a fine of $325,000.

Undersea cables are crucial infrastructure as they connect nations to the internet. Aside from letting you stream your favorite TV shows and movies and check your emails, undersea links also let governments talk with their allies and allow military units to coordinate their actions. While wireless technologies, like microwave and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, can serve as backup, they still do not have the reliability and bandwidth that a physical connection can offer.

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