Weihai, China – Chinese authorities have accused two Taiwanese nationals of directing operations on a Chinese-crewed vessel that damaged undersea communications cables off Taiwan in February, an incident that has escalated tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

The probe, conducted by China’s Weihai Public Security Bureau, concluded that the Togo-flagged cargo ship Hong Tai 58 was operated by the two Taiwanese men as part of a longstanding smuggling operation, reportedly involving frozen goods into China.

Cross-Strait Dispute Over Cable Incident

The investigation has reignited controversy over whether the incident was deliberate sabotage or a maritime accident. Chinese state media, citing the Taiwan Affairs Office, accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of misrepresenting the incident to portray Beijing as attempting to stir confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan has framed the cable damage as an act of “grey zone” or hybrid warfare, a strategy involving low-grade coercion or sabotage that allows for plausible deniability. The island, home to 23 million people, views such acts as part of a broader strategy to pressure its self-governance, while China maintains it had no involvement.

“The incident is a common maritime occurrence that has been exaggerated,” Beijing officials said in state media statements.

Legal Proceedings and Crew Status

In June, a Taiwanese court sentenced the Chinese captain of the Hong Tai 58 to three years in prison for intentionally damaging the subsea cables. Seven other Chinese crew members were sent back to China without charges, where they were interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Chinese authorities have now offered a reward of up to 250,000 yuan (approx. $35,569) for information on the two Taiwanese suspects, identified by the surnames Chien and Chen, who have been on a Chinese customs wanted list since 2014.

Taiwan Rejects Chinese Claims

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responded by asserting that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan.

“In the absence of concrete evidence, publicly announcing names and offering rewards is not a civilized practice,” the Council said.
“It is merely another instance of cross-border repression and political manipulation.”

Significance of Subsea Cable Security

Undersea cables are critical infrastructure, carrying nearly all global internet and telecommunications traffic. However, proving intentional damage is difficult, as breakdowns can result from natural shifts on the seabed, equipment aging, or human activity.

According to industry data, 100 to 200 cable breakdowns occur worldwide annually. Since 2023, at least 11 incidents have occurred near Taiwan, though some were later ruled accidental or due to aging cables.

Other regions, including the Baltic Sea, have reported increased undersea cable disruptions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Legal accountability in such cases has proven difficult, especially against ships linked to China or Russia.

Implications for Taiwan-China Relations

The Hong Tai 58 incident highlights the growing cross-Strait tensions and underscores the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure to geopolitical conflicts. Analysts warn that disputes over maritime operations and accusations of sabotage could further strain relations between Taipei and Beijing, with potential implications for regional security and trade.