Taiwan Accuses Chinese-Linked Ship of Cutting Undersea Cable

The damaged cable near Taiwan's northern coast is part of a global pattern of suspected sabotage targeting critical infrastructure.

The Shunxin-39, a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship reportedly owned by a Hong Kong-based company linked to a Chinese citizen, is suspected of severing a critical undersea cable near Taiwan.
Taiwanese authorities intercepted the vessel but were unable to board it due to rough weather; the ship proceeded to South Korea, where Taiwan has requested further investigation.
The damaged cable, part of the Trans-Pacific Express system, connects Taiwan to the U.S. and East Asia; backup systems prevented major disruptions to communications.
The incident is viewed as part of China's 'gray zone' tactics, covert actions that test international responses without crossing into open conflict.
Similar cases of undersea cable damage have been reported globally, including recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.