Philippines exploring deeper cooperation with Taiwan to protect cables

Undersea cables are crucial for Taiwan's connections worldwide. The Philippines is seeking to deepen cooperation with Taiwan to protect these cables and tackle gray-zone activities, despite adhering to a one-China policy that recognizes Beijing over Taipei, according to a Philippine diplomat. Both nations have repeatedly expressed concerns over China's actions to pressure the countries without resorting to direct conflict.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has overlapping claims with both Taiwan and the Philippines in the South China Sea. To safeguard mutual interests in the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, Felipe F. Carino III, the Philippines' deputy chief of mission in Washington, suggested that a pragmatic and practical approach with Taiwan is necessary.

Speaking at a seminar, Carino highlighted the vital role of cable security in the region, stating that nearly all intercontinental data flows traverse these cables, with 60-67% of cyber incidents occurring in the area. He emphasized that protecting these cables is of utmost importance and that the Philippines is exploring deeper cooperation with Taiwan, going beyond its one-China policy.

This cooperation would encompass knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and addressing gray-zone issues in the region. While specifics regarding joint patrols or accountability measures for vessels disrupting communications are not yet clear, Carino indicated that these aspects may materialize as the cooperation evolves. Taiwan has intensified efforts to safeguard undersea communication links following several incidents involving cables and China-linked vessels.

Recently, the Philippines' coast guard deployed its largest vessel and an aircraft to confront a Chinese research ship operating near undersea cable corridors off northern Batanes province. At the same seminar, Taiwan's deputy representative in Washington, Andrea Yang, mentioned that a Chinese ship captain was jailed in Taiwan for damaging an undersea cable.

She also emphasized that Taiwan intends to bolster resources for developing unmanned systems to enhance maritime surveillance, noting that interference with undersea cables is an issue that should be addressed by the UN and considered for mechanisms to prevent improper behavior.