Ever wondered how the internet travels across oceans? It's all thanks to submarine cables—those hidden heroes beneath the waves that keep us connected globally. 🌐 But what happens when these cables get damaged? Recently, an incident involving Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan has sparked conversations about just that.
In early January, Chunghwa Telecom reported damage to one of its submarine cables. Some fingers were pointed toward the Chinese mainland, with accusations of possible sabotage. 😲 But hold on! Before diving into conspiracy theories, let's hear what the experts and officials have to say.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, addressed these claims on January 8. He labeled the accusations as \"baseless,\" emphasizing that the facts and liabilities surrounding the incident are still unclear. \"The DPP authorities made baseless assumptions and deliberately exaggerated the incident as a so-called 'gray zone threat' despite the basic facts and accident liability remaining unclear,\" Chen stated.
So, what's really going on beneath the sea? Experts highlight that the ocean is a dynamic environment. 🌊 From shifting tectonic plates causing seismic activity to the unexpected movements of the sea floor, there's a lot that can go wrong—without any human intervention. \"The unpredictability of seismic activity makes it challenging to determine when and where a cable might suffer damage,\" they explain.
In other words, nature is often the culprit. 🌪️ Whether it's earthquakes, underwater landslides, or even curious marine life (yes, sharks have been known to nibble on cables!), these factors make submarine cable maintenance a tricky business.
For us on land, it's a reminder of the incredible infrastructure working tirelessly to keep us scrolling, streaming, and snapping. So next time your video buffers, maybe give a little shoutout to those unseen cables—and the people working hard to fix them when things go awry. 🙌
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
