Taiwan Investigates Chinese-Flagged Ship After Undersea Cable Damage
A Togolese-flagged vessel with a Chinese crew has been detained following the severing of a critical communications cable near Taiwan's Penghu Islands.
- Taiwan's Coast Guard detained the Hongtai, a Togolese-flagged cargo ship with an all-Chinese crew, for investigation after an undersea cable was found severed near the Penghu Islands.
- The damaged cable belongs to Chunghwa Telecom and is a key communication link for the region; a backup cable has been activated to maintain connectivity.
- Authorities are probing whether the incident was an accident or deliberate sabotage, with concerns raised about potential 'grey zone' activities by China.
- This incident is part of a recurring pattern of undersea cable damages around Taiwan, which the government fears could be part of broader Chinese efforts to exert pressure on the island.
- China's government has denied knowledge of the incident, while Taiwan treats the case as a matter of national security.
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