In a significant maritime incident, Taiwan’s coast guard has detained a cargo ship linked to China following the disconnection of an undersea cable connecting the Penghu Islands in the strategically sensitive Taiwan Strait.
The coast guard deployed three vessels to intercept the Hong Tai 58, a cargo ship registered in Togo but crewed by Chinese nationals, after receiving alerts about the severed Taiwan-Penghu Third Undersea Cable. The ship was found anchored near the site of the cable disruption, raising suspicions that it may have towed the cable, though investigations are ongoing.
Handling the case with heightened national security measures, the coast guard confirmed that the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office. Fortunately, communications between Taiwan and its offshore islands, including Penghu, remained unaffected as services were quickly redirected to alternative cables, according to Taiwan’s digital ministry.
This incident follows earlier concerns in Taipei about damage to another undersea cable by a Chinese-linked vessel, prompting increased vigilance from the navy and other agencies to safeguard vital communication links.
The detained vessel, which was stranded for several days approximately 6 nautical miles northwest of Jiangjun Fishing Port, was flagged under a “flag of convenience,” indicating it is registered in a country different from that of its owner. The coast guard reported that all eight crew members are Chinese nationals and did not dismiss the possibility of “grey-zone” harassment tactics from China.
Throughout the vessel’s stranding from February 22 to 25, the coast guard attempted to contact it seven times via broadcasts from the Anping Port Signal Station, but received no response. The situation underscores ongoing tensions in the region as Taiwan remains vigilant against potential threats to its sovereignty and communication infrastructure.
+ There are no comments
Add yours