Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) apprehended the Chinese crew of a vessel registered in Togo on Tuesday, suspecting them of cutting an underwater fiber optic cable linking Taiwan and Penghu islands.
According to the CGA, the ship, named Hong Tai 168, had been lingering approximately 925 meters from the cable since 7 p.m. local time on February 22. Taiwan’s state media reported that a coast guard vessel was dispatched to the ship at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, ordering it to leave the area.
Coast guard officials verified that the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable was severed at 3 a.m. Tuesday and subsequently detained the ship’s Chinese crew. The coast guard confirmed that all eight crewmembers were apprehended.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs stated that communications were rerouted via alternative cables following the incident, ensuring uninterrupted service.
The coast guard has labeled the incident as potential “gray zone” activity by China, a term used for hostile actions short of war.
The Taiwanese government has announced an investigation into the matter.
This event occurred about a week after Chinese officials voiced concerns regarding the removal of language opposing Taiwan’s independence from the U.S. State Department’s website during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet on Taiwan stated “we do not support Taiwan independence,” but this statement was removed earlier this month. Chinese officials responded on Sunday by urging the U.S. to “immediately correct its wrongdoing,” claiming it “sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces.”
However, the State Department clarified to NBC News that the U.S. position on Taiwanese independence remains unchanged.
The U.S. has maintained a long-standing and delicate stance on Taiwan and its relationship with mainland China, adhering for decades to the One China Policy. This policy recognizes Beijing as China’s sole government while acknowledging, but not endorsing, Beijing’s claim of control over Taiwan.
This understanding entails the U.S. refraining from formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.
Despite this, the U.S. has provided funding for Taiwan’s defense and collaborated with Western nations to deter a takeover by mainland China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated his willingness to use military force to seize the island.
Taiwan, with its own democratically elected government, asserts its status as an independent nation. Taiwan initially became self-governed in 1949 after pro-democracy forces sought refuge there following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War against Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party.
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