Taiwan Investigates Potential Chinese Ship Involvement in Undersea Cable Damage

The Taiwanese Coast Guard is probing a Hong Kong-owned vessel thought to have harmed an undersea cable tied to critical internet connections amidst rising security concerns over infrastructure vulnerabilities related to China.

Taiwan is currently investigating a cargo ship, reportedly linked to China, suspected of causing damage to an undersea internet cable northeast of the island, as outlined by Taiwan’s Coast Guard on Monday. This incident highlights the fragility of Taiwan's critical infrastructure amid growing apprehension over potential sabotage, particularly concerning undersea communications, a matter that gained attention recently in Europe.

Reports indicate that two fiber-optic cables under the Baltic Sea were severed in November, leading authorities in Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania to extensively investigate the involvement of a Chinese-flagged commercial vessel. Following similar lines, when the damage to the Trans-Pacific Express Cable was identified on Friday morning— which connects Taiwan with South Korea, Japan, China, and the U.S.—communications were swiftly rerouted to prevent any major disruptions.

The vessel identified by the Coast Guard was intercepted near Keelung, a northern coastal area of Taiwan where several undersea cables reach the shore. This cargo ship is owned by a Hong Kong company and was crewed by seven Chinese nationals. The Trans-Pacific Express Cable is crucial for maintaining Taiwan's online and communication activities, forming one of over a dozen undersea cables critical for internet connectivity.

These cables are extremely susceptible to damage from anchors and other maritime activities due to the busy shipping lanes surrounding Taiwan. While proving intent behind the damage to such cables is often challenging, analysts suggest the incident reflects a broader pattern of psychological operations and intimidation orchestrated by China to undermine Taiwan's stability and defense capabilities.