- Taiwan Court Sentences Captain Over Cable Sabotage Incident.
- Undersea Cable Damage Near Taiwan Leads to 3-Year Jail Term.
- Captain Found Guilty as Taiwan Reports Spike in Cable Incidents.
A Taiwanese court has handed down a three-year prison sentence to a Chinese ship captain for deliberately damaging undersea communication cables off the island’s southwestern coast. This incident, which took place in February, raised significant security alarms for Taiwanese officials, reports gCaptain.
Court Convicts Captain Despite His Claims
In Tainan, the court found the captain, known only by his last name, Wang, guilty of instructing his crew to drop anchor in a restricted zone, which ultimately caused damage to the submarine cables. Although Wang admitted to giving the order to drop anchor, he insisted that he didn’t mean to cause harm, arguing that it was a case of negligence rather than intentional wrongdoing. The court determined that he allowed the ship to drift, leading to the anchor snagging and breaking the cables.
Telecom Company Faces Heavy Financial Blow
Taiwan’s largest telecom provider reported losses exceeding T$17 million (around USD 576,564) due to the damage and the repairs needed for the cables. This incident has caused significant disruptions to the communication infrastructure in the area.
Rising International Tensions and Political Responses
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has yet to respond to the court’s decision. Previously, Chinese officials accused Taiwan of politicising the issue and assigning blame without solid evidence. This case has further fueled the ongoing tensions between the two sides, as Taiwan remains a highly sensitive geopolitical topic for China.
Crew Members Deported, No Charges Filed
Seven other crew members, all from China, were deported earlier after prosecutors found there wasn’t enough evidence to charge them with the incident. Only the captain faced accountability for the damage to the cables.
Increase in Undersea Cable Incidents Near Taiwan
Taiwan’s digital ministry reported five cases of undersea cable malfunctions this year, a rise from three cases each in 2023 and 2024. The growing frequency of these disruptions has raised alarms about the vulnerability of essential communication infrastructure in the region.
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Source: gCaptain
