- Taiwan has accused a Chinese-owned cargo vessel of severing a critical international submarine cable near Keelung on January 3.
- The damaged cable, connected to America’s AT&T, disrupted data transmission until rerouted by Chunghwa Telecom.
- Taiwan alleges the ship’s anchor caused the damage, and the vessel is linked to a Hong Kong-based company owned by a Chinese citizen.
- Similar sabotage incidents involving Chinese ships occurred in the Baltic Sea in 2023 and 2024, raising global concerns about hybrid warfare.
- The incident underscores fears of potential threats to undersea infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China.
Incident Details
On January 3, Taiwanese authorities discovered that the submarine cable connecting to AT&T was ruptured in four places near the port of Keelung. Tracking data suggested that the Chinese-owned cargo vessel dropped its anchor at the rupture site.
Taiwan’s coast guard conducted an external inspection of the vessel but was unable to board it due to adverse weather conditions. As cargo vessel heads toward South Korea, Taiwan has requested assistance to question the ship’s captain.
Historical Context and Global Concerns
This incident is the latest in a series of disruptions to undersea cables attributed to Chinese-owned vessels. In November 2024, the Chinese-registered bulk carrier was accused of dragging its anchor along the Baltic seabed, severing two key cables.
These incidents have prompted concerns among Western nations, highlighting the vulnerability of critical global communication infrastructure to sabotage.
Taiwan’s Response and Security Implications
Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom swiftly restored vital connections by diverting data through alternative subsea cables. However, national security officials warn that Taiwan’s undersea infrastructure remains at risk.
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Source: The Telegraph
