U.S. introduces bill to combat China's sabotage of Taiwan's underseas cables

Washington, July 9 (CNA) A bipartisan bill aimed at protecting Taiwan's undersea communication cables from Chinese "gray zone tactics" was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, calling on the government to help strengthen cable resilience near Taiwan.

The bipartisan Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act was introduced by Republican Senator John Curtis and Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The act calls on the U.S. government to establish an initiative, led by the State Department in coordination with the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the Coast Guard, to deploy real-time monitoring systems, develop rapid-response protocols, improve maritime surveillance and strengthen international cooperation against sabotage.

Gray zone activities are ambiguous or unconventional tactics used to gain a strategic advantage without provoking open conflict.

According to a press release from the two senators, disrupting undersea cables is a key part of China's military strategy "to cripple Taiwan's communications in a conflict."

Since February 2023, at least 11 undersea cable disruptions have been reported around Taiwan, most of them linked to vessels suspected of deliberate interference, according to the press release.

"We can't stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables," Curtis said in a press release.

"By improving systems monitoring and helping increase cable resiliency, our bipartisan legislation sends a clear message: the United States stands with Taiwan and our allies in defending shared infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom."

Also on Wednesday, Senators Curtis and Chris Van Hollen reintroduced bipartisan legislation supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations amid Beijing's efforts to isolate it.

The Taiwan International Solidarity Act aims to clarify that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not prevent the U.S. from using its vote, voice and influence to oppose efforts to undermine Taiwan's position on the world stage.

The legislation also encourages the U.S. to work with allies and partners to oppose the People's Republic of China's (PRC) efforts to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and partnerships globally.

"The United Nations must not become a platform for that distortion. It must stand for clarity," Curtis said in a separate press release. The bipartisan effort would ensure Washington pushes back against "false claims and stands up for Taiwan's dignity and right to self-determination."

A House version of the bill, introduced by Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly and Republican Rep. Young Kim, passed in May.

A similar bill passed the House in 2023 but was not considered by the Senate, so it had to be reintroduced after the new Congress convened on Jan. 3.

The two bills introduced on Wednesday must pass both the Senate and the House before the U.S. president can sign or veto them.

U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, transferred China's seat at the U.N. from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the PRC, effectively excluding Taiwan from the organization and its affiliates due to lack of recognition by the U.N. and most member states.