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China cuts Taiwan's internet—14,000 citizens unable to communicate or use credit cards
Human Events ^ | 03/29/2023 | C.G. Jones

Posted on 03/29/2023 7:43:30 PM PDT by george76

People in the Matsu islands of Taiwan have recently been cut off from the outside world after two submarines controlled by China snipped internet cables last month. Consequently, credit cards could not be used, bank transfers failed, and online videos were not successfully uploading.

However, the event is more serious than not being able to load YouTube videos to the internet. The recent development has exposed an important information vulnerability, one that has revealed Taiwan is incapable of protecting its own communications should the small country go to war with China

...

Lin Shengyue, 80, said of the outages: “Calls cut off midway; it’s pretty annoying,” adding that “it’s more of a problem for the young people glued to their mobiles.”

“That’s why all of them ran off to the main [Taiwan] island,” he continued. “The only ones left are old fogies like me and the soldiers stationed here.”

Lii Wen, head of the Matsu chapter of the country’s leading Democratic Progressive Party, said that the incident should serve as “a warning sign” for Taiwan to have better backup plans, adding: “What would we do if Taiwan’s 14 international sea cables were damaged?”

The Telegraph reported that the Matsu cables have been cut off 27 times over the past five years, often caused by Chinese fishing boats that drop anchors and drag fishing nets. But help is not coming anytime soon, as repair ships are not expected to reach the area until the end of April.

The cables are reported to be about 300 miles long, with a width no larger than a garden hose.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently repeated his intent to annex Taiwan, a territory with its own government that Beijing claims is part of China. The US has expressed concern over China’s intent to militarily invade the small country by 2027, according to reports.

However, it is unclear why China would cut the cables now, allowing Taiwan to make the appropriate repairs should a war develop in the area.

Reuters recently reported on a $600 million subsea cable that the US has secured, delivering data and information from Asia to Europe, by way of Africa and the Middle East. The cables are said to connect 12 countries and are estimated to be finished in 2025.

These cables were noted to be “a trophy in a growing proxy war between the United States and China over technologies that could determine who achieves economic and military dominance for decades to come.”

It is clear that securing cable connection and internet access are growing interests for both China and the US, and it appears that smaller countries, such as Taiwan, are potential battlegrounds for gaining the edge should an international conflict arise.

The loss of internet access could spell disaster for Taiwan, as it could cut off communication between the government and its people should a conflict arise. It would also hinder Taiwan from seeking assistance from other countries if China invades.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: asia; chicoms; china; internet; taiwan
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1 posted on 03/29/2023 7:43:30 PM PDT by george76
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To: george76
People in the Matsu islands of Taiwan have recently been cut off from the outside world after two submarines controlled by China snipped internet cables last month.

Starlink to the rescue, I guess.
2 posted on 03/29/2023 7:44:30 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: FrogMom; dayglored; Conan the Librarian; McGruff; TornadoAlley3; Eagles6; Cedar; dforest; ...
Ping Me When the Internet Goes Down ping

If anyone wants on or off the Ping Me When the Internet Goes Down pinglist, kindly FReepmail me. Thanks!

3 posted on 03/29/2023 7:47:53 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: george76

Just a test run for what they plan to do to Taiwan when invasion is imminent.


4 posted on 03/29/2023 7:52:18 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative.)
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To: hinckley buzzard

The 2,000 ships streaming across 135 mile channel would probably be the tip off.


5 posted on 03/29/2023 7:55:44 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: george76

This is why only Digital Currency is a threat to National Security.


6 posted on 03/29/2023 8:02:10 PM PDT by Openurmind (The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children. ~ D. Bonhoeffer)
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To: Vermont Lt

The hundreds of missiles headed for the Three Gorges and 6 or 7 of the other Yangtze dams would also be a hint of hostilities...


7 posted on 03/29/2023 8:02:19 PM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is the next Sam Adams when we so desperately need him)
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To: george76
My biggest fear here in the USA is having communications cut.

TWO things will kill us pretty quick (or spur US to begin 2nd amendmenting . . . ) . . cut the ATM's and communications . . . both of which can be done from the inside . . . they don't need no steenking Chinese EMP's

8 posted on 03/29/2023 8:03:07 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true . . . I have no proof, but they're true.)
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To: george76

imagine the mass panic as millions of people all of a sudden can’t check their email or post a video about what they had for lunch- it will be epic! They will be stymied abotu what to do next- heck- they might even start talking to one another in the same room again- face to face- oh the horror!


9 posted on 03/29/2023 8:04:47 PM PDT by Bob434
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To: george76

That’s significant.


10 posted on 03/29/2023 8:06:31 PM PDT by WeaslesRippedMyFlesh (wake me up when somebody tells the truth)
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To: hinckley buzzard

a test run for what they plan to do to Taiwan when invasion is imminent.
———-
Right except for the last part. China has the full capability to isolate, blockage the island. No invasion needed.

Naval blockade, no fly airspace, all internet cut, all food/ shipments/ commodities stopped....not a shot fired - unless the US violates the blockage. The Chinese have already conducted a naval blockade maneuver some months back. Projections show a successful blockage could be accomplished in less than 30 days.

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/yes-china-has-the-worlds-largest-navy-that-matters-less-than-you-might-think/

“Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.
China’s fleet relies disproportionately on smaller classes of ships – and U.S. capabilities are bolstered by its allies’ navies.…”

IF the US Navy were to be stupid enough to run China’s blockage, the mainland forces just a hundred miles away would easily “ swarm” the US invaders. Do be aware China has already put into operation “ drone carriers”, they lead in that naval sector. Fine mess senile Joe has gotten us into, go War Cheerleaders, your day is coming.


11 posted on 03/29/2023 8:11:31 PM PDT by delta7
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To: delta7

More:

“China’s armed forces are capable of blockading Taiwan, a senior U.S. Navy official said, pointing to the size of the country’s navy, which is the world’s largest and growing at a rapid pace.

“They have a very large navy, and if they want to bully and put ships around Taiwan, they very much can do that,” Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

China conducted military drills last month that sought to demonstrate its ability to blockade Taiwan,…”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-is-capable-of-blockading-taiwan-u-s-navy-commander-says-11663585457

Is the US now prepared to fight China “ down to the last Taiwanese”? It ain’t working in Ukraine, it most definitely will not work with China.


12 posted on 03/29/2023 8:17:58 PM PDT by delta7
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To: delta7
So you like KGB Russia taking over countries, and you have no issue with Communist China taking over a country.
Putting aside your soft on communist positions, you ignore the reality of our need for alliances. If we don't stop China from taking Taiwan, they will dominate Asia. They will take or neutralize the first Island chain (Japan and the Phillipines) and be an international naval force. It will make it easier to move to the second island chain, which includes US Pacific territories. It also means that the PRC supplants the US as the global leader. No more petrodollar. Welcome to 10% interest rates.
13 posted on 03/29/2023 9:06:35 PM PDT by rmlew ("Mosques are our barracks, minarets our bayonets, domes our helmets, the believers our soldiers." )
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To: delta7

BTW. Deterring Chinese invasion isn’t a call for war against China. Isolationists keep promoting war by appeasing China and Russia


14 posted on 03/29/2023 9:07:31 PM PDT by rmlew ("Mosques are our barracks, minarets our bayonets, domes our helmets, the believers our soldiers." )
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To: george76

Lets send Tanks and ammunition to the people of Taiwan just like Ukraine.


15 posted on 03/29/2023 9:24:15 PM PDT by Revel
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To: george76

Chicoms annoying the people who are closest to China.

How they think this helps them the question.


16 posted on 03/29/2023 10:30:48 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: Vermont Lt

“ The 2,000 ships streaming across 135 mile channel would probably be the tip off.”

Lining up to be sitting ducks.


17 posted on 03/29/2023 10:31:41 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: delta7

Ok comrade.


18 posted on 03/29/2023 10:32:26 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: rmlew

Yeah guy’s red as a beet.


19 posted on 03/29/2023 10:33:16 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: Revel

“ Lets send Tanks and ammunition to the people of Taiwan just like Ukraine.”

Taiwan pays us for it.


20 posted on 03/29/2023 10:33:53 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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