Taiwan

U.S. Congress

•

30 days

Summary

members
11
Narrative Items
14
Bottom Line Up Front

11 members in U.S. Congress are amplifying 14 narrative items relating to the narrative that China’s suspected sabotage of Taiwan’s undersea internet cables represents gray-zone warfare undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty. They emphasize the need for Taiwan to enhance cable protection, repair capabilities, and diversify communication infrastructure to ensure economic and digital security.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that Mark Green (R-TN) portrays the events with a negative tone, emphasizing the threat posed by China through terms like "sabotaging" and "gray-zone warfare," which carry emotionally charged and alarmist language. His rhetoric frames China as a deliberate aggressor actively undermining Taiwan's sovereignty, aiming to rally support for increased defense measures and technological resilience. This portrayal includes a clear bias towards viewing China as an adversary, likely to influence his audience toward favoring stronger U.S. involvement and investment in Taiwan's infrastructure security. Unlike some neutral or cautious reports found in mainstream media, Green’s commentary focuses on immediate threats and strategic urgency, reflecting a partisan and security-focused perspective that underscores the geopolitical stakes rather than diplomatic nuances.

About This Module

The U.S. Congress module tracks the official blogs, video channels, and social media accounts of all United States senators and representatives.

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Members

Members by Type
Members of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
members by Volume
These members are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each member's narrative activity.
Top members
Day-by-day volumetric activity of members amplifying the most items around this narrative
Mark Green (R-TN)
21% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
John Cornyn (R-TX)
14% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Rand Paul (R-KY)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Adrian Smith (R-NE)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Scott Perry (R-PA)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
7% of the items in this brief were amplified by this member.
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
Mark Green (R-TN)
globaltaiwan.org
China's Undersea Cable Sabotage and Taiwan's Digital Vulnerabilities | Global Taiwan Institute
China is suspected of repeatedly sabotaging Taiwan's undersea internet cables, causing significant economic damage and disrupting essential services. This constitutes a form of gray-zone warfare, undermining Taiwan's digital infrastructure and sovereignty. Taiwan needs to improve cable protection, invest in repair capabilities, and diversify its communication infrastructure, including using satellite internet.
Amplifiers:
John Cornyn (R-TX)
apnews.com
Forget China's navy, Chinese small boats landings on Taiwan are a new source of concern
Despite China's military might, small boat landings by Chinese citizens on Taiwan are causing concern. These incursions, sometimes documented on social media, are challenging Taiwan's surveillance capabilities. While penalties exist, they're often waived. This new tactic, alongside other "gray area" strategies, aims to undermine Taiwan's confidence amidst rising tensions.
Amplifiers:
Scott Perry (R-PA)
taiwannews.com.tw
US lawmakers introduce bill to make Taiwan 'NATO Plus' country | Taiwan News | May. 22, 2025 16:19
US Senators and Representatives introduced the Taiwan PLUS Act, aiming to expedite US arms sales to Taiwan by granting it "NATO Plus" status. This would streamline the process, mirroring the treatment given to key US allies like Japan and Australia, bolstering Taiwan's defense against potential Chinese aggression. The bill cites Taiwan's significant past purchases of US weaponry.
Amplifiers:
Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
youtube.com
Stanton on rising threat of China and need for a strong Taiwan-USA relationship #shorts
Stanton, in a CCP hearing, highlighted the growing China threat and stressed the crucial role of a strong Taiwan-US relationship, particularly emphasizing its economic (CHIPS Act) and national security benefits for the US, specifically Arizona.
Amplifiers:
Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
abc15.com
Inside TSMC: How the US's most advanced semiconductor chips are made in Arizona
TSMC's Arizona facility manufactures advanced semiconductor chips, a complex process requiring thousands of steps. Their unique foundry model custom-builds chips for clients. While initial expansion is progressing, cultural integration challenges between Taiwanese and American employees are being addressed through training and partnerships with universities to meet future workforce demands.
Amplifiers:
Rand Paul (R-KY)
responsiblestatecraft.org
Imposing 500% tariffs on nations that trade with Russia will backfire
Senator Graham's bill proposes crippling 500% tariffs on countries trading with Russia, causing a potential economic catastrophe. This drastic measure, while intending to pressure Russia, would severely harm U.S. allies and the American economy, undermining international relations and failing to achieve its stated goals. The bill's predicted impact is overwhelmingly negative.
Amplifiers:
Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
youtube.com
Arsenals of Democracy | Brad Bowman
Brad Bowman warns of a dangerous global shift in military power favoring China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, posing the greatest threat since 1945. He advocates for US defense industrial base reform to increase weapons production and expedite deliveries to allies like Taiwan, also addressing options for aiding Mexico against drug cartels.
Amplifiers:
Pat Fallon (R-TX)
foxnews.com
Chinese nationals who infiltrated US universities
The US government is intensifying scrutiny of Chinese nationals studying in America due to alleged espionage and other suspicious activities. This includes revoking student visas, prompting criticism from China. Several recent incidents involving Chinese students at US universities have fueled these concerns, ranging from photographing military bases to alleged theft of trade secrets.
Amplifiers:
Adrian Smith (R-NE)
adriansmith.house.gov
Security for Americans and Our Allies
The US Army's 250th anniversary coincides with heightened global security concerns. Iran's nuclear program and aggression, along with domestic antisemitism and agroterrorism, necessitate vigilance. Legislation protecting maritime supply chains and a potential US-China trade deal aim to bolster national security and protect American interests and allies.
Amplifiers:
Mark Green (R-TN)
foxnews.com
Chinese bioterror suspects' arrests signal communist country plotting 'something worse' than COVID: expert
Two Chinese nationals were arrested for allegedly smuggling the toxic fungus *Fusarium graminearum* into the U.S., prompting expert Gordon Chang to call for severing U.S.-China relations. Chang believes this act, along with other recent incidents, indicates a Chinese "People's War" against the U.S., potentially involving bioterrorism far exceeding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. He advocates for harsh punishment, citing the fungus's threat to crops and human health.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
Organizations
Taiwan's cable protection agencies
Organizations responsible for protecting Taiwan's undersea internet cables.
Taiwan's repair teams
Teams tasked with repairing damaged undersea internet cables.
Technologies
Undersea internet cables
Critical infrastructure for Taiwan's internet connectivity, targeted for sabotage.
Satellite internet
Alternative communication infrastructure Taiwan should invest in to diversify connectivity.
Events
Sabotage of Taiwan's undersea internet cables
Repeated sabotage causing economic damage and disruption of essential services.
Gray-zone warfare
Form of warfare involving covert actions like sabotage to undermine Taiwan's digital infrastructure and sovereignty.
Countries
China
Country suspected of sabotaging Taiwan's undersea internet cables.
Taiwan
Country whose undersea internet cables are being sabotaged, causing economic damage and service disruption.
Organizations
Taiwan's cable protection agencies
Organizations responsible for protecting Taiwan's undersea internet cables.
Taiwan's repair teams
Teams tasked with repairing damaged undersea internet cables.
Technologies
Undersea internet cables
Critical infrastructure for Taiwan's internet connectivity, targeted for sabotage.
Satellite internet
Alternative communication infrastructure Taiwan should invest in to diversify connectivity.
Events
Sabotage of Taiwan's undersea internet cables
Repeated sabotage causing economic damage and disruption of essential services.
Gray-zone warfare
Form of warfare involving covert actions like sabotage to undermine Taiwan's digital infrastructure and sovereignty.
Countries
China
Country suspected of sabotaging Taiwan's undersea internet cables.
Taiwan
Country whose undersea internet cables are being sabotaged, causing economic damage and service disruption.

Context

Taiwan's strategic position in East Asia, combined with its advanced economy and democratic governance, makes it a focal point of regional tensions, particularly with China. Taiwan has a population of about 23 million, with a highly urbanized and technologically sophisticated society that relies heavily on digital infrastructure for economic activities, government operations, and daily life. The island's economy is export-driven, with a strong emphasis on high-tech industries such as semiconductors, making uninterrupted internet connectivity critical.

Geographically, Taiwan is an island located near major undersea communication routes, which makes its undersea internet cables vital for global data traffic. These cables connect Taiwan to the rest of the world, supporting its role as a key player in global supply chains. The suspected sabotage of these cables by China represents a form of gray-zone warfare—actions that fall below the threshold of open conflict but aim to weaken Taiwan’s sovereignty and operational capabilities without provoking full-scale war.

Politically, Taiwan operates as a democratic entity with its own government, but China claims it as a province, refusing to renounce the use of force to achieve reunification. This political dispute heightens the risk of conflict and motivates China to employ hybrid tactics, including cyber and infrastructure attacks, to exert pressure.

Taiwan’s military is focused on asymmetric defense strategies to deter or delay potential Chinese aggression, but protecting critical infrastructure like undersea cables requires enhanced coordination between military, civilian agencies, and private sector stakeholders. Economically, disruptions to internet connectivity can cause significant damage, affecting everything from financial markets to supply chain management.

To mitigate these risks, Taiwan must invest in cable protection technologies, rapid repair capabilities, and diversify its communication infrastructure by incorporating satellite internet and other resilient technologies. Strengthening these areas is essential for maintaining national security, economic stability, and preserving Taiwan’s digital sovereignty in the face of ongoing threats.
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World Events
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