Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) says there is no proof that two undersea cables were cut off by China. It made the statement on Thursday in response to a Foreign Policy article by Elisabeth Braw. The Council is in charge of Taiwan’s cross-strait policy.
Braw was responding to the cutting in early February of two undersea cables connecting Taiwan’s outlying Matsu Islands to the internet. The Taiwan National Communications Commission (NCC) had recently explained that at least one of the cables was cut by a civilian Chinese fishing vessel, while the second was cut by an unknown freighter. Chunghwa Telecom reported the problem to the Coast Guard and has been dealing with the problem.
Braw said that the cable cutting could be intentional harassment by Beijing or a trial run for cutting off the internet access for all of Taiwan. Matsu residents are facing highly reduced internet connectivity due to the cutoff.
The NCC stated that there was no substantial proof that the cables were intentionally damaged by China. Currently, repairs are expected to begin in April, and completion of a new cable line is scheduled for September.