Taiwan Charges Chinese Captain for Undersea Cable Damage

Taiwan undersea cable damage : Taiwan has indicted a Chinese ship captain for deliberately damaging undersea cables near the island in February.

This marks the first time Taiwan has pursued legal action over such an incident, amid growing concerns following a surge in undersea cable disruptions.

Prosecutors state that the man was the captain of the Hong Tai 58, a Togo-registered vessel crewed by Chinese nationals, which was detained by Taiwanese authorities after suspicions arose that it had dropped anchor near an undersea cable off southwestern Taiwan, causing damage.

Taiwan Charges Chinese Ship Captain Over Deliberate Undersea Cable Damage

The charges were filed in Tainan, a city in southern Taiwan close to the site of the cable damage.

Prosecutors stated that the ship’s Chinese captain, identified only by his surname Wang, had been charged with causing the damage to the cable.

First-Ever Prosecution Highlights Rising Tensions and Cable Sabotage Concerns

According to prosecutors, Mr. Wang has maintained his innocence but declined to disclose details about the ship’s ownership and “displayed a poor attitude.”

Seven other Chinese nationals detained alongside him will not face charges and are set to be deported to China, prosecutors added.

Reuters was unable to verify the ship’s ownership or identify legal representation for the captain at the time.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Previously, China accused Taiwan of “manipulating” the narrative regarding possible Chinese involvement, claiming Taiwan was making accusations without clear evidence.

According to Taiwan’s digital ministry, this contrasts with three incidents reported in both 2024 and 2023.

In recent months, the local coast guard has intensified efforts to safeguard undersea cables, including tracking a “blacklist” of nearly 100 vessels linked to China but registered under countries other than their actual owners, officials said.

In January, Taiwan suspected a China-linked vessel of damaging an undersea cable off its northern coast, though the ship’s owner denied any wrongdoing.

Taiwan — which is claimed by China as part of its territory — has frequently raised concerns over Chinese “grey zone” tactics aimed at exerting pressure without open conflict, including balloon flyovers and sand dredging operations.

Taiwan has also drawn parallels between its own experiences and incidents of undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea that occurred after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.