States Move to Guard Undersea Data Routes

The Philippines is exploring closer cooperation with Taiwan to protect undersea cables in the Bashi Channel, even as Manila maintains a policy recognizing Beijing, not Taipei. Philippine diplomat Felipe F. Carino III said Wednesday that the cables carry nearly all intercontinental data flows, putting communications infrastructure at the center of security discussions between the two governments.

Cable Security and State Cooperation

Carino, Manila's deputy chief of mission in Washington, spoke at a seminar at Washington's Center for a New American Security. He said Taiwan and the Philippines need a “pragmatic and practical approach” to protect shared interests in the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines.

“60-67% of cyber incidents happen in our region,” Carino said. He tied cable security to South China Sea tensions but didn't mention China by name.

The two sides are exploring “practical and more pragmatic approaches in cooperation, including knowledge-sharing and capacity building,” Carino said. He added: “We see this cooperation leading towards ... addressing the gray-zone issues in our part of the world.”

Asked whether cooperation might include joint patrols or accountability for vessels that disrupt communications, Carino said he had no details. “I'm sure that this is a constantly evolving cooperation, and some of the things that you mentioned may be actually coming to fruition,” he said.

For now, the proposal centers on knowledge-sharing and capacity building. Carino didn't confirm joint patrols or a system to hold vessels accountable. Manila's one-China policy remains in place as it explores cooperation with Taipei.

Regional Disputes and Cable Protection

The Philippines and Taiwan have repeatedly complained about Chinese activities they say are meant to pressure them without direct confrontation. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has overlapping claims with Taiwan and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Taipei has stepped up efforts to protect undersea communications links, which are vital to the island's connections with the rest of the world, after several incidents involving cables and China-linked vessels.

This month, the Philippine coast guard said it deployed its largest vessel and an aircraft to challenge a Chinese research ship operating off northern Batanes province near undersea cable corridors. Philippine coast guard forces moved near routes the governments want to protect.

Surveillance and the United Nations

At the same seminar, Andrea Yang, Taiwan's deputy representative in Washington, referred to Taiwan's jailing of a Chinese ship captain over damage to an undersea cable. Yang said Taiwan would put more resources into developing unmanned systems to improve maritime surveillance.

Yang also said the United Nations should take up undersea cable interference and consider mechanisms to prevent “bad behavior.” Her remarks set out a proposed international role, while Carino didn't say whether Philippines-Taiwan cooperation would include patrols or accountability measures.

The statements laid out government plans and proposals, not a finalized joint security arrangement. Carino said cooperation was evolving; Yang called for more resources for unmanned surveillance and urged the United Nations to consider mechanisms. The source gave no cost figures for those plans and identified no labor unions, worker groups, or companies involved in the discussions.