TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's cabinet, the Executive Yuan, approved amendments to seven laws Thursday (Sept. 18), imposing harsher penalties for damaging critical infrastructure. The new regulations establish imprisonment of one to seven years and fines up to NT$10 million (around US$332,226) for deliberately targeting undersea cables, water, and natural gas pipelines. The legislative package addresses increasing national security threats from illegal activities targeting vital infrastructure.
The cabinet emphasized the island's heavy reliance on undersea communication, power, and energy pipelines, stressing the urgency of protecting these assets. The comprehensive package revises seven laws including the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法), Electricity Act (電業法), Natural Gas Enterprise Act (天然氣事業法), Water Supply Act (自來水法), Meteorological Act (氣象法), Commercial Port Act (商港法), and Law of Ships (船舶法). The amendments establish criminal liabilities for intentional or negligent damage to undersea communication and power cables.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) emphasized the dual importance of protecting undersea cables for domestic services and national security. He urged the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部), and Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA, 數位部) to engage with legislative caucuses for swift completion. Cho called for expedited legislative procedures to meet societal expectations regarding underwater cable protection. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.095)