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.
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.
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