Manila-Taipei Cable Plan Tests One-China Policy

The Philippines is exploring deeper cooperation with Taiwan to protect undersea cables, despite Manila’s one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing and not Taipei. Felipe F. Carino III, Manila’s deputy chief of mission in Washington, called the proposed work a “pragmatic and practical approach” to shared interests in the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The talks put cable protection beside a diplomatic constraint: Manila is considering cooperation with Taiwan notwithstanding its stated policy on China. Carino said the two sides were exploring “practical and more pragmatic approaches in cooperation, including knowledge-sharing and capacity building.” He said they saw cooperation leading toward “addressing the gray-zone issues in our part of the world.”

Cable Security and Sovereignty

Carino spoke Wednesday at a seminar at Washington’s Center for a New American Security. Undersea cables carry nearly all intercontinental data flows, he said, and “60-67% of cyber incidents happen in our region.” He linked cable security to South China Sea tensions but didn’t name China.

Asked whether the two sides might conduct joint patrols or pursue accountability for vessels that disrupt communications, Carino said he lacked details. He added: “I’m sure that this is a constantly evolving cooperation, and some of the things that you mentioned may be actually coming to fruition.” His remarks described possible cooperation, not an announced joint-patrol arrangement.

The Philippines and Taiwan have repeatedly complained about Chinese activities they say aim 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. These competing claims frame Manila’s effort to discuss practical work with Taipei while maintaining its one-China policy.

Vessels and Cable Corridors

Taipei has stepped up efforts to protect undersea communications links, which are vital to the island’s connections with the rest of the world. Several incidents involving cables and China-linked vessels preceded those efforts, according to the account.

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 assets moved near routes Carino identified as important to protecting shared interests. The article doesn’t say the ship damaged a cable.

Taiwan Seeks a UN Role

Andrea Yang, Taiwan’s deputy representative in Washington, also spoke at the seminar. She referred to Taiwan’s jailing of a Chinese ship captain over damage to an undersea cable and said Taiwan would direct more resources toward developing unmanned systems to improve maritime surveillance.

Yang said undersea cable interference should come before the United Nations. The organization, she said, should consider mechanisms to prevent “bad behavior.” Her proposal would bring the issue before an international body, but the account doesn’t specify what mechanism the United Nations might consider.

The diplomatic and security steps remain distinct: Manila is exploring cooperation with Taiwan, the Philippine coast guard challenged a Chinese research ship near cable corridors, and Yang called for a UN discussion. Carino didn’t provide details or a timetable for deeper cooperation.