Redazione RHC : 30 October 2025 07:40
Taipei, October 30, 2025 – Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan Economic Commission has approved the first reading of a series of amendments to the so-called “Seven Submarine Cable Laws,” introduced to address frequent incidents of damage to submarine infrastructure surrounding the island.
The amendments—which affect the Electricity Law, the Natural Gas Activities Law, and the Water Supply Law—provide harsher penalties for those who intentionally destroy water pipes, power cables, or underwater gas pipelines, with penalties of up to seven years in prison . Furthermore, authorities will have the power to confiscate vessels used to commit such crimes.
On September 18, the Executive Yuan had already approved preliminary amendments to seven laws: the Telecommunications Management Law, the Electricity Law, the Natural Gas Operations Law, the Water Supply Law, the Meteorology Law, the Commercial Ports Law, and the Navigation Law.
With these amendments, intentional damage to underwater pipelines is criminally equivalent to the destruction of telecommunications cables. More serious offenses will be punishable by increased prison sentences, while less serious offenses will continue to be punishable by proportionate fines and prison terms. The new provisions also include the requirement to activate automatic identification systems (AIS) on vessels and the possibility of confiscation of the equipment used in violations.
On October 29, during a question-and-answer session, the Economic Commission began its article-by-article examination of the proposed amendments. These include Article 71-1 of the Electricity Law, Article 55-1 of the Natural Gas Enterprises Law, and Article 97-1 of the Water Supply Law.
The drafts stipulate that anyone who causes damage to or interference with the normal functioning of gas or water infrastructure, or undersea cables used for the distribution of energy and resources, could be sentenced to one to seven years in prison and fined up to 10 million NT$ (about 287,000 euros) .
For negligent crimes, however, the provisions already provided for by the Telecommunications Management Law remain in force, which provide for up to six months of imprisonment or fines of up to 2 million NTDs .
The draft also includes a specific clause requiring the confiscation of all tools, machinery, or vessels used to commit the crime, regardless of their owner. The aim is to prevent such equipment from being reused for illegal activities.
During the same meeting, a supplementary resolution was also approved, directing the Ministry of the Interior to publish updated maps and information on underwater cables and pipelines prior to the final ratification of the laws. The measure also calls for public awareness campaigns and increased cooperation between relevant agencies to facilitate law enforcement and prosecution.
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