Taiwan Probes Chinese-Crewed Ship in Undersea Cable Saga

Taiwan's authorities are scrutinizing a Chinese-crewed vessel suspected of cutting an undersea cable. The incident adds strain to Taipei-Beijing relations, as Taiwan investigates whether sabotage or accident caused the break. Despite this, communication remained intact due to Chunghwa Telecom's backup cable.

Taiwanese authorities are investigating a Chinese-crewed ship, caught in the latest incident involving the severing of an undersea communications cable, which further complicates the tense relationship between Taipei and Beijing. The ship, flagged from Togo, was intercepted by Taiwan's coast guard after suspicions arose regarding its role in the cable breakage.

According to Taiwan's coast guard, the ship, named Hongtai, was anchored near the location of the cable cut since Saturday evening, and ignored several signals sent from a nearby port. This situation escalated after Chunghwa Telecom reported the damage to the cable, prompting the coast guard to track down and escort the vessel to Anping Port.

Authorities are examining if the cable severing resulted from intentional sabotage or an accidental occurrence. They also noted the importance of national security principles in handling the Chinese national crew. However, communication services on the Penghu Islands remained uninterrupted, thanks to an activated backup cable.