Bipartisan legislation aims to protect Taiwan’s undersea communication cables against “gray zone tactics” used by China
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act. This bipartisan bill would protect Taiwan’s critical communications infrastructure and deter malicious “gray zone” activities by the Chinese Communist Party. The cables—critical for global communication and commerce—have repeatedly been targeted by China for undercover sabotage to undermine Taiwan’s security and sovereignty.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to target Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure don’t just threaten Taiwan’s national security, but connectivity and communication around the world,” said Senator Rosen. “Senator Curtis and I are introducing this bipartisan legislation to bolster collaboration between our two nations in order to protect these underground cables and impose sanctions on any adversary that targets this critical infrastructure. I will continue to push back on China’s growing aggression, and its attempts to undermine democracy.”
“We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables,” said Senator Curtis. “By improving systems and increasing 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.”
Senator Rosen has prioritized strengthening the U.S.–Taiwan partnership and defending Taiwan against growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party. She introduced and helped pass into law via the annual defense bill the bipartisan Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act to enhance joint cyber defense efforts, and she led the introduction of the bipartisan TAIWAN Security Act to bolster defense and supply chain cooperation. She has also been a consistent leader in pushing back against authoritarian influence more broadly.
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