Taiwan Accuses China of Manipulating Undersea Cable Incident

Cable Disruption Sparks Tensions

Taiwan has accused China of “manipulating” the situation surrounding the latest severing of an undersea communications cable. The island government claims China is engaging in “grey zone” tactics to pressure Taiwan without direct confrontation.

China Dismisses Allegations

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, responded by stating that damage to undersea cables is a “common maritime accident” that happens globally more than a hundred times per year. Zhu criticized Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing them of exaggerating the incident for political purposes.

Taiwan Detains Suspected Vessel

Taiwan’s coast guard reported the detention of a China-linked cargo ship on Tuesday after an undersea cable to the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait was disconnected. This follows a previous incident earlier in the year where another Chinese-linked ship was suspected of causing cable damage.

Concerns Over Hybrid Tactics

Taipei has expressed concern over similarities between these incidents and cable damage in the Baltic Sea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Taiwanese government has suggested that Chinese ships flying “flags of convenience“—ships registered under other nations but operated by Chinese entities—pose a potential security threat.

Increasing Vigilance

In response to these incidents, Taiwan’s navy and other agencies have increased efforts to safeguard undersea communication links, which are crucial for maintaining the island’s global connectivity. Last month, Taiwan’s government labeled Chinese ships with “flags of convenience” as having “the mark of evil about them.”

The issue remains a point of contention, with both sides standing firm in their positions amid rising regional tensions.

“Taiwan Accuses China of Manipulating Undersea Cable Incident”