- Anchor Drop Blamed for Cable Disruption Off Southwest Coast.
- Captain Denies Involvement, Refuses to Cooperate with Investigators.
- Seven Crew Members Released, Returned to China.
Taiwanese prosecutors have, for the first time, indicted a Chinese captain on charges of intentionally sabotaging an undersea communications cable off the island. The attack happened in February and coincides with growing fears of repeated cable interruptions and heightened cross-strait tensions, reports Reuters.
Anchor Drop Suspected as Cause of Damage
The authorities indicate the ship, manned by Chinese nationals and flying a foreign flag, was discovered close to the damaged cable off southwestern Taiwan. Prosecutors accuse the captain of anchoring in a restricted zone, inflicting serious damage to the infrastructure.
Captain Denies Charges, Refuses to Cooperate
The captain, whose last name is Wang, has refused the allegations but allegedly declined to give ownership information of the ship. Prosecutors said he “had a bad attitude,” further making the investigation difficult.
Seven Crew Members to Be Repatriated
As the captain is formally charged, the remaining seven Chinese nationals who were arrested with him will not face prosecution. They will be sent back to China, making the case Taiwan’s first-ever legal case involving undersea cable damage.
China Alleges Taiwan Politicizing Incident
Chinese officials have not yet made an official statement but had previously blamed Taiwan for “manipulating” the issue and “casting aspersions before the facts were clear.” Attempts by foreign media to contact legal representation for the captain have been unsuccessful so far.
Cable Damage Adds to Military Tensions
The indictment is that China persists in increasing military action around Taiwan. On the same day that the case was released, Taiwan’s defence ministry stated that 21 Chinese planes were seen flying around the island in a “combined combat readiness exercise drill” with warships.
Sharp Increase in Cable Interference in 2025
Taiwan has noted five faulty undersea cables in 2023 alone—more than three per year in 2023 and 2024—based on the island’s digital ministry. Officials claimed that this increase has become a rising national security issue.
Taiwan Ramps Up Monitoring of Suspect Ships
In response to the intrusions, Taiwan’s Coast Guard now closely tracks nearly 100 ships believed to have Chinese connections but registered in foreign nations. Authorities claim these vessels operate regularly near Taiwan’s strategic facilities.
Grey Zone Activities Raise Strategic Concerns
Taiwan continues to threaten China’s “grey zone” operations—military provocations short of conflict intended to bring pressure, such as balloon patrolling and illegal sand dredging. These short of war acts, while preventing full-scale combat, are part of a long-term strategy considered aimed at coercing the island.
Baltic Incidents Compared to the Invasion of Ukraine
Taiwanese authorities have compared the incidents to Baltic Sea undersea cable sabotage cases after Russia invaded Ukraine. As increasing threats target its critical undersea lines of communication, Taiwan is ramping up defence and digital infrastructure protection.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Reuters
