That undersea cables, whether for communications or energy, have become a key player in global geopolitics is beyond doubt. Recent cuts and sabotage incidents, along with massive investments from companies incorporating AI, prove their growing strategic importance. However, when a cable cut occurs in a high-tension area like Taiwan, the incident takes on a different significance.
Suspicion of Sabotage
It’s not the first time this has happened in the region, but it has happened again. Taiwanese authorities have detained a cargo ship on suspicion of cutting an undersea communications cable linking the main island to the Penghu archipelago, located about 30 kilometers west.
While the investigation is still ongoing, this event adds to a series of similar incidents that have raised concerns about potential maritime sabotage by China and Russia. The key issue? The ship’s crew consists entirely of Chinese citizens.
A Taiwanese coast guard unit detected that the cargo vessel, an old, poorly maintained ship with multiple names and Chinese financing, was in the area when the cable broke. According to Ou Yu-fei, spokesperson for the Coast Guard, it was the only vessel present at that moment, strengthening suspicions of its involvement.
Moreover, reports indicate that the ship may have used a false registration number and changed its name suddenly—a common tactic in covert operations.
A “Possible” Scenario
As reported by The New York Times, the incident occurred around 3:24 a.m. on Tuesday, shortly after a Taiwanese patrol ordered the cargo ship to leave the area for being too close to the cables with its anchor lowered. This has led authorities to consider the possibility that the ship took advantage of its departure to carry out a deliberate act of sabotage.
The cutting of undersea communications cables is always a serious accident, but in Taiwan, it is even more so. Why? The island heavily depends on these cables for connectivity with its outer islands and the rest of the world. While these cables can be damaged by natural causes like earthquakes or aging infrastructure, the most common cause is ships dragging anchors or fishing nets.
Recent patterns have led some analysts to speculate that China and Russia may be engaging in deliberate sabotage as a form of maritime harassment.
The number of similar incidents has been rising. In 2023, a cable between Taiwan and the Matsu Islands was cut, disrupting communications for weeks. In early 2025, a digital cable connecting Taiwan with South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States was damaged, with evidence suggesting that a Chinese ship may have dragged its anchor over it. In November 2024, two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were cut, with investigations pointing to a Chinese/Russian-flagged cargo ship.
In response, the Taiwanese government has increased surveillance of its undersea infrastructure and compiled a list of over 50 suspicious vessels, many registered under flags of convenience (such as Togo’s, which the detained ship used).
China’s Response
A few hours ago, China accused Taiwan of politically manipulating the cable incident. According to Beijing, the Taiwanese government has exaggerated the situation without conclusive evidence, aiming to fuel tensions for political gain.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, downplayed the incident, stating that undersea cable damage is a common maritime accident that happens over a hundred times a year worldwide. She also accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which governs Taiwan, of using the incident to manipulate public opinion without any real backing. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government rejected Beijing’s claims, insisting that there are clear indications of possible sabotage, especially since a China-linked vessel was present at the site when the incident occurred.
Geopolitical Implications
If Taiwan’s suspicions of intentional damage are confirmed, this could escalate tensions between Taipei and Beijing. As previously reported, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has increased pressure on the island in recent years through military incursions, economic coercion, and cyberattacks.
For now, the case has been referred to prosecutors for a deeper investigation. Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to strengthen its security measures to prevent further undersea communication disruptions. In a world where digital networks and critical infrastructure have become weapons in hybrid warfare, these incidents reinforce the belief that Taiwan’s powerful neighbor may be testing indirect destabilization tactics without engaging in an open conflict.
