If China were to target Taiwan’s submarine communication cables, it could potentially have global repercussions.
The war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East have dominated recent headlines. Due to the intensity of these conflicts, other international issues, like the China-Taiwan conflict, often receive less attention. However, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could lead to catastrophic global consequences. Here’s an exploration of why that is the case.
Taiwan: A Critical Link in the Global Computer Industry
Experts suggest that a potential Chinese assault on Taiwan would likely start with a “preparation” phase designed to isolate the island from the international community, particularly the United States. This could be achieved by targeting the submarine cables that link Taiwan with other nations.
A recent US report disclosed that currently, 99% of international digital communications and data transfers are facilitated by commercial submarine telecommunications cables. These cables are crucial for various processes, including calls, data transfers, internet services, and financial transactions.
Considering recent events, such as the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, there is widespread concern among experts that China may undertake comparable sabotage actions against Taiwan in the event of a future conflict.
The objective of these Chinese missions is to isolate the island from America and the rest of the world by targeting submarine internet cables that link Taiwan with other nations. Should they be successful, the ramifications for the Taiwanese military would be significant, as it would greatly complicate the defense of the nation’s territory.
Moreover, the severance of such cables would have repercussions beyond Taiwan, impacting the entire Western world, especially the United States. Notably, many of the cables located in the Pacific Ocean are the property of American technology corporations like Google and Meta.
U.S. officials have expressed concerns that a “global blackout” could ensue if the infrastructure of significant companies were compromised by the Chinese military. This concern partly explains the protective stance of Americans towards Taiwan. The island holds considerable interests, not least because it is a leading producer of the world’s semiconductors.
