Welcome to the News Insight program on Wednesday, January 8th. In this episode, our guests include Professor Song Guocheng, a senior researcher at the Center for International Relations at National Chengchi University, Associate Professor Zheng Qinmo from the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University, and the host Zhang Dongxu.
Today’s focus: Will Taiwan become a digital island? The dark plot of the Chinese Communist Party to sabotage undersea cables! Launching a comprehensive warfare with China and Russia joining hands with shadow fleets! Why is the CCP sponsoring hackers to attack Guam? Understanding Trump’s stance on Russia’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO!
In Europe, the Baltic Sea and the Indo-Pacific Taiwan Strait have seen a series of undersea cable damages; in the Red Sea in the Middle East, the Houthis have attacked commercial ships. In the realm of cyber warfare, all three major sources of chaos point to the Chinese Communist Party.
The maritime provocations by the CCP involve not only coast guard vessels and militia white boats but also exposure of a “shadow fleet.” What are they up to?
Key military bases like Guam and countries in the first island chain, including Taiwan, have suffered severe cyber attacks by Chinese hackers in recent years.
Poland, currently leading the European Union, is advocating for a “pre-war period” in Europe, awakening to strengthen cooperation between Europe and America. Why did Trump say that handling the Middle East is easier than the Russia-Ukraine conflict? How does China respond to this statement?
On the NATO front, undersea cables in the Baltic Sea have been severed, allegedly involving Chinese merchant ships. As a result, NATO has conducted large-scale naval exercises. Later, the cable between Finland and Estonia was also cut. In January, undersea cables off the northern port of Keelung in Taiwan were damaged. Is this related to the CCP?
Let’s ask Professor Song Guocheng for his observations. Former US Secretary of State Rice has repeatedly warned that the CCP may cut off Taiwan’s undersea cables. What message is the mastermind behind this sending to the world?
Another maritime focus is the Red Sea in the Middle East. The Yemeni rebel Houthis have repeatedly attacked international commercial ships, with Chinese vessels also impacted, forcing ships to detour for ten days. Last October, US Deputy Secretary of State Campbell revealed that China has no intention of cooperating with the international community but has indicated to the rebels not to attack Chinese vessels but others.
According to US intelligence in January, there is a weapon supply chain between the CCP and the Houthis, with the condition of not attacking Chinese vessels. Let’s ask Associate Professor Zheng Qinmo for his interpretation.
The CCP has a maritime law enforcement force nearly equivalent to the navy, along with so-called white ships and armed militia ships engaging in gray zone conflicts. Reports have emerged of a “shadow fleet” operated by the CCP and Russia, which can be used for smuggling, evading UN sanctions, and cutting undersea cables. For example, a Russian cargo ship that previously docked in Chinese ports was found transporting North Korean weapons.
Let’s ask Professor Song Guocheng, what do we see from the exposed shadow fleet?
The new powerhouse in Europe, Poland, took over the rotating EU presidency in January, leading the EU agenda for the next six months. Prime Minister Tusk’s main focus is “Security, Europe!” across seven security domains, promoting the “comprehensive awakening” of Europe. President Duda calls for enhanced cooperation between Europe and America. In a press conference on January 7th, Trump urged NATO members to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense.
Let’s ask Associate Professor Zheng Qinmo for his observations on the EU’s security and policy towards China.
The Wall Street Journal reported on January 6th that Chinese hackers have escalated from commercial thieves to military tools, potentially capable of shutting down dozens of ports, power grids, and other critical infrastructure targets in the US, becoming frontline soldiers in potential geopolitical conflicts between China and the US.
Last year, the CCP-supported “Salt Typhoon” hackers, exposed to have attacked the telecommunications networks of over twenty countries including the US and Taiwan, causing significant losses and alarming the US political sphere.
A Bloomberg investigation on January 4th revealed that Chinese hackers have extensively infiltrated critical infrastructure in Guam, a key military base supporting the first and second island chains in the Western Pacific in recent years.
Let’s ask Professor Song Guocheng, this news is unsettling; it’s mentioned that over the past three years, major countries in the first island chain have all been targeted by CCP hackers for military attacks.
During his campaign, Trump proposed to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours. Later, he expressed his hope to resolve it within six months due to the complexity of the situation. In an interview last December, Trump openly stated that handling Middle East issues is easier than dealing with what happened in Russia and Ukraine.
Let’s ask Associate Professor Zheng Qinmo, why did Trump say that?
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