Taiwan, EU Lawmakers hold forum on undersea cable security amid rising threats

(28 Oct 2025) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Taipei, Taiwan - 28 October 2025 1. Wide of Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao arriving at news conference 2. Wide of news conference 3. Wide of European lawmakers in audience 4. Wide of Rihards Kols, member of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, speaking 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rihards Kols, European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee: "I'm pleased to learn that Taiwan as well is about to introduce risk initiative that is aimed at securing undersea critical infrastructure. And this, as I said, in Europe, we are facing the same challenges. Baltic Sea, in a span of two years, we have experienced 12 cases where undersea critical infrastructure has been damaged." 6. Mid of guests and lawmakers in audience 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Bi-khim Hsiao, Taiwan Vice President: "In our interconnected world, undersea cables are the lifeblood of the global economy and the backbone of our digital societies. Ensuring their security and resilience is not only a technical issue, but also a matter of national and international security, economic stability and democratic resilience. Recognizing this, the forum held earlier today highlighted the importance of shared responsibility, transparency and trust among like minded partners." 8. Wide of Hsiao speaking 9. Close of European lawmakers 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Bi-khim Hsiao, Taiwan Vice President: "To further advance these efforts, I'm particularly pleased to share the launch of Taiwan's Risk Management Initiative on international undersea cables, grounded in a risk management approach. This initiative underscores our commitment to risk mitigation, information sharing, systemic reform, and knowledge building, R-I-S-K. More than just a call to action, it represents Taiwan's pledge to collaborate with the international community in securing our collective safety and prosperity." 11. Wide of audience applauding 12. Hsiao shaking hands with Kols and walking off stage 13. Various of Hsiao shaking hands with European lawmakers, guests STORYLINE: Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the European Parliament on Tuesday jointly hosted the Taiwan-Europe Undersea Cable Security Cooperation Forum in Taipei, highlighting growing efforts among democratic nations to protect critical undersea communication infrastructure from sabotage and gray-zone threats. The forum brought together officials, lawmakers, and experts from both sides to exchange experience on securing submarine cables and strengthening the resilience of essential digital infrastructure that underpins the global economy. Rihards Kols, a member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said Europe faces similar challenges to Taiwan in protecting its undersea assets. "I’m pleased to learn that Taiwan as well is about to introduce a risk initiative that is aimed at securing undersea critical infrastructure,” Kols said. “In Europe, we are facing the same challenges. In the Baltic Sea, in a span of two years, we have experienced 12 cases where undersea critical infrastructure has been damaged.” At a press conference following the forum, Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao called undersea cables “the lifeblood of the global economy and the backbone of our digital society,” stressing that their protection is central to both economic stability and democratic resilience. "Ensuring their security and resilience is not only a technical issue, but also a matter of national and international security, economic stability and democratic resilience,” Hsiao said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...