讀後心得

China has utilized opportunistic tactics to cut undersea cables near Taiwan, which the Ocean Affairs Council has deemed a form of gray-zone warfare. Chunghwa Telecom announced an investment in a new undersea cable system, E2A, which is approximately 12,500 kilometers long and is expected to be operational by 2028, enhancing digital capabilities in the Pacific region. E2A is being constructed by Chunghwa Telecom in collaboration with several international telecom companies, connecting Asia and North America, and providing critical infrastructure for global communications. Chunghwa Telecom emphasized that the system will strengthen network resilience but did not propose new countermeasures to address China’s actions of cutting undersea cables. Reports indicate that undersea cable cutters developed by China could impact global communication stability, particularly in geopolitically tense areas.

China's use of temporary tactics to cut undersea cables in the waters near Taiwan has been categorized as gray warfare. Recently, Chunghwa Telecom announced it will invest in a new undersea cable system, E2A, which is approximately 12,500 kilometers long and is expected to be operational in the second half of 2028, significantly enhancing digital capacity and connectivity quality in the Pacific region.

The construction of the E2A undersea cable system is jointly planned by Chunghwa Telecom, South Korea's SK Broadband, Japan's SoftBank, and the United States' Verizon, and will adopt the most advanced technology to enhance digital connectivity between Asia and North America. The E2A system spans the Pacific, linking Toucheng in Taiwan, Busan in South Korea, Maruyama in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and Moro Bay in California, USA, providing critical infrastructure for regional and global communications.

With the rapid development of AI cloud computing and next-generation mobile networks, the demand for ultra-high capacity and low latency has reached unprecedented levels. Chunghwa Telecom stated that the construction of E2A marks a significant advancement in global communication technology, achieving more efficient and environmentally friendly data transmission, and providing robust support for AI applications and cloud services, ensuring high-speed connectivity across the Pacific and Asia.

Chunghwa Telecom emphasized that the E2A submarine cable can be interconnected with other Asian cables that are about to be completed in Taiwan, enhancing Taiwan's position as a hub for submarine cables in the Asia-Pacific region. This not only meets business demands but also further strengthens the overall resilience of the network.

The Chairman of Chunghwa Telecom holds high expectations for the E2A system, stating that the company will continue to invest in submarine cables, fiber optics, and mobile communications, integrating satellite and microwave technologies to build a comprehensive network system, making Taiwan an information hub in the Asia-Pacific region to attract international operators. However, Chunghwa Telecom did not mention specific preventive measures against China's disruption of undersea cables. Reports indicate that China has announced a compact cutter capable of severing undersea cables, whose performance grants it the ability to disrupt global communications, raising international concern.

This cutter can sever cables at depths of up to 4,000 meters, exceeding the operational depth of current infrastructure, and plans to be integrated with China's submersible system. Although its primary use is designated for deep-sea mining and civilian operations, its dual-use potential has raised concerns about disrupting global communications during periods of geopolitical tension.

Since November 2024, there have been multiple incidents of disruptions in undersea cables between Taiwan and surrounding areas, with two cables currently down, primarily relying on microwave or satellite technology to maintain connectivity. Regarding such actions, the Vice President has pointed out that this is indicative of gray warfare.