Taiwan Coast Guard Detains Cargo Ship for Damaging Undersea Cable

Taiwan’s coast guard detained a cargo ship and its Chinese crew on Tuesday for allegedly damaging an undersea internet cable connecting Taiwan to its Penghu Islands. The vessel, named “Hong Tai,” was flying a “flag of convenience” from Togo but had Chinese funding. The ship had been lingering near the cable off Taiwan’s southwestern coast since Saturday and did not respond to multiple broadcasts from the coast guard. After the cable was detected as disconnected, the coast guard intercepted and boarded the vessel before escorting it to Tainan for investigation.

Authorities in Taiwan are investigating whether the damage to the cable was intentional sabotage or an accident. The incident is being treated with national security-level guidance, and prosecutors are involved in the investigation. This is not the first time undersea cables around Taiwan have been damaged suspiciously. In previous incidents, Chinese-linked vessels were suspected of causing disruptions to Taiwan’s internet connectivity, raising concerns about potential “gray zone” activities that could impact the island’s communications with the outside world.

The latest incident adds to a series of similar occurrences in recent years, with Taiwanese authorities pointing fingers at Chinese ships for damaging undersea cables. The acts have caused internet blackouts and disruptions, prompting fears of deliberate efforts to undermine Taiwan’s communication infrastructure. As investigations continue, the Taiwanese government remains vigilant against potential threats to its internet and communication networks, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national security in the face of such incidents.

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