Taiwan Detains a Ship After Another Undersea Cable Cut. The Issue: Only Chinese Citizens Were on Board

Submarine cables, whether for communications or energy, have undoubtedly become a major factor in global geopolitics. Recent incidents of cutting and sabotage, along with significant investments in AI technologies, have made this clear. However, when cuts occur in a critical region like Taiwan, the implications are even more serious.

Suspicion of sabotage. This isn’t the first occurrence in the area, but Taiwanese authorities recently detained a cargo ship suspected of having severed an underwater communications cable. The cable connects the main island to the Penghu archipelago, located around 20 miles to the west.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the recent incident adds to a series of similar incidents that have sparked concerns about possible maritime sabotage tactics employed by China and Russia. The issue is that the detained ship was only crewed by Chinese nationals.

The detention. When the undersea cable was cut, a Taiwanese coast guard detected a dilapidated cargo ship in the area. The vessel, which has multiple names, is reportedly financed by China. Ou Yu-fei, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, said in a statement that this was the only ship present at the time, further supporting the theory of its involvement with the severed cable.

Additionally, some suggest that the ship may have used a false registration number and suddenly changed its name–a common tactic in covert activities.

Context. The New York Times reported that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. Shortly before the incident, a Taiwanese patrol had ordered the cargo ship to leave the area because it was anchoring too close to undersea cables. This detail has led authorities to suspect the possibility that the ship may have carried out a deliberate act of sabotage during its departure.

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Crucial cables. The severing of undersea communications cables is always a serious incident, but it’s particularly significant in Taiwan’s case. Taiwan relies heavily on these cables for connectivity with its outlying islands and the rest of the world. While natural causes such as earthquakes or wear and tear can damage cables, the most common cause is the dragging of ship anchors and fishing nets.

However, recent incidents have led some analysts to speculate that China and Russia may be engaging in deliberate sabotage as a form of sea harassment.

A growing concern. The number of similar incidents has increased in recent years. In 2023, a cable connecting Taiwan to the Matsu Islands was cut, disrupting communications for weeks. In early 2025, a digital cable linking Taiwan to the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and China was damaged, with evidence suggesting that a Chinese ship may have dragged its anchor over it. Additionally, in November 2024, two fiber optic cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, with investigations pointing toward a cargo ship registered under Chinese or Russian flags.

In response to this troubling trend, the Taiwanese government has intensified surveillance of its underwater infrastructure and compiled a list of more than 50 suspicious vessels. Many of these vessels are registered under flags of convenience, such as the Togolese flag used by the vessel detained on Tuesday.

China’s response. Shortly after the detention, China accused Taiwan of politically manipulating the recent undersea cable incident. According to Beijing, the Taiwanese government exaggerated the situation without providing conclusive evidence, aiming to fuel tensions and gain political advantage.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, downplayed the incident, saying that damage to undersea cables is a common maritime accident that occurs more than a hundred times a year worldwide. He also accused the Democratic Progressive Party, which governs Taiwan, of using the event to sway public opinion despite a lack of solid support for its claims.

For its part, the Taiwanese government rejected Beijing’s accusations. Taiwan insists that there are clear indications of possible sabotage, particularly since the Chinese-crewed ship was present in the area at the time of the incident.

Geopolitical implications. If Taiwan’s suspicions of intentional damage are confirmed, tensions between the island and China could escalate. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has increased pressure on the island in recent years through military incursions, economic coercion, and cyber-attacks.

The case has been referred to prosecutors for further investigation. In the meantime, Taiwan is strengthening its security measures to prevent future disruptions to its undersea communications. Given that control of digital platforms and critical infrastructure has become a tool of hybrid warfare, these incidents highlight the possibility that China may be exploring indirect methods of destabilization without resorting to open conflict.

Image | 總統府

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