A Hong Kong-registered company’s vessel was reportedly in the vicinity when damage to a telecommunications cable occurred.
Taiwanese media and the Financial Times report that Taiwan suspects a Chinese-linked vessel damaged an undersea internet cable off its northern coast.
The island’s Coast Guard announced Saturday that a cable connecting China and other East Asian countries to the US via the Pacific Ocean was damaged Friday near Keelung port.
The Coast Guard attributed the damage to the Cameroonian-flagged cargo ship “SHUNXIN39” transiting the area.
While Cameroonian-registered, the FT, citing Taiwanese officials, reports the ship is owned by Hong Kong’s Jie Yang Trading Limited, whose director is a Chinese national.
Inclement weather prevented Coast Guard officers from boarding or detaining the vessel. The statement noted the ship was ordered to return to Keelung for investigation.
However, the FT adds that the ship was subsequently directed to South Korea, with Taipei requesting Seoul’s assistance in the investigation.
The Trans-Pacific Express cable connects China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. Chunghwa Telecom, a member of the cable’s owning consortium, reported rerouting traffic and uninterrupted service.
Beijing has yet to comment.
Politico reported Sunday that Taiwan has experienced numerous incidents of undersea cable damage in recent years, with the source remaining unidentified.
The FT report highlights Taipei’s concern that Beijing could covertly sever Taiwan’s external communications in a potential reunification attempt.
Taiwan’s self-rule began after nationalist forces’ defeat in the 1949 Chinese Civil War. Few nations recognize its sovereignty; most, including Russia, consider it part of the People’s Republic.
The US officially recognizes Taiwan as part of China but maintains military cooperation with Taipei. Last month, President Biden approved $571 million in arms and supplies for the island.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently stated that reunification’s historical trend is unstoppable. Beijing conducted large-scale military drills around the island in October. Taipei claims Beijing will not “renounce the use of force” against it.
Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui stated last week that Beijing prefers a peaceful reunification with Taipei, a sentiment previously expressed by Xi Jinping.