The latest move in Beijing’s petty campaign against Taiwan appears to involve cutting the island’s lifeline to the digital world. On Friday, the Taiwanese government reported that a Hong Kong-owned, Cameroon-flagged cargo ship, Shunxing 39, was caught severing an undersea communications cable. This cable, crucial to Taiwan’s global connectivity, was allegedly damaged by the vessel dragging its anchor, but anyone with common sense can see this was no accident.
As Herming Chiueh, deputy head of Taiwan’s digital ministry, aptly put it, the likelihood of this being a mere mishap is “near zero.” He detailed how it would take a series of deliberate actions—dropping an anchor, revving the engine, and continuing to drag—to inflict this kind of damage. This wasn’t an oops moment; it was a calculated jab in Beijing’s ongoing harassment of Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard’s response was swift, apprehending the vessel after a nine-hour pursuit. Though weather conditions prevented boarding, radar and navigation data were collected for further investigation. Unsurprisingly, several crew members were Chinese nationals. After the Coast Guard released the ship, it conveniently headed to South Korea, leaving behind a trail of questions and suspicions.
This incident fits snugly into the broader pattern of Beijing’s “gray zone” tactics—strategic nuisances designed to weaken Taiwan’s resolve without sparking outright conflict. Whether it’s cutting cables, sending jets into Taiwan’s airspace, or threatening trade embargoes, China’s playbook is as transparent as it is despicable. The goal is clear: isolate, harass, and intimidate Taiwan into submission. But here’s the thing—Taiwan isn’t folding.
While the left wrings its hands and preaches “diplomatic solutions” from their cozy think tanks, the reality is that weakness invites aggression. China’s actions underscore the fragility of global communication networks, much of which relies on undersea cables stretching thousands of miles across oceans. These vulnerable lines, largely unprotected, make tempting targets for bad actors like Beijing.
But Taiwan is prepared. Contingency plans involving satellite and microwave technology are in the works to counter such sabotage. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of resilience and self-reliance—two qualities that Taiwan exemplifies and that America needs to rediscover. Instead of pandering to China with empty climate deals and TikTok summits, maybe Democrats should take a page from Taiwan’s book and learn how to stand up to bullies.
In the face of Beijing’s bullying, Taiwan remains one of America’s most steadfast allies in the Pacific. While the Biden administration continues to play nice with Xi Jinping, Taiwan is showing the world what it means to fight for freedom. The message to China should be clear: The world is watching, and free nations won’t bow to intimidation.
