Tue Feb 25 11:30:15 UTC 2025: ## Taiwan Detains Chinese Ship After Undersea Cable Severed
**Taipei, Taiwan –** Taiwanese authorities have detained a Chinese-crewed cargo ship, the *Hongtai*, suspected of severing an undersea communications cable. The incident, which occurred on February 25th, 2025, has heightened tensions between Taiwan and China.
The Togolese-flagged *Hongtai* was intercepted in waters between Taiwan’s main island and the Penghu Islands after telecommunications provider Chunghwa Telecom reported a severed cable 6 nautical miles northwest of Jiangjun Fishing Harbor. The ship, which had been anchored in the area since Saturday, failed to respond to multiple signals from authorities before being escorted to Anping Port. All eight crew members are Chinese nationals.
While the cause of the cable damage remains under investigation, the Taiwanese coast guard stated that the possibility of intentional sabotage, and a “gray-zone incursion by China,” cannot be ruled out. This incident follows a pattern of similar cable damage incidents in recent years, some of which Taipei has attributed to China. Communications on the Penghu Islands were not affected due to a backup cable.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed unawareness of the situation. Taiwan fears such actions are part of China’s potential strategy to blockade or seize the island. The investigation is ongoing, with Taiwanese authorities handling the case according to national security protocols.
First Piper 