Chinese Vessel Cuts Undersea Cables Near Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

[Social Media]

 

Taiwan has accused a Chinese-owned vessel of severing a crucial undersea data cable off its northern coast, a development described as part of a "very worrying global trend" of sabotage. The incident, which took place on January 3, involved the rupture of four cores of an international submarine cable transmitting data to America’s AT&T. 

 

Taiwan's coast guard tracked the Shunxing39 cargo vessel to the rupture site near the port of Keelung. The vessel, though sailing under the flag of Cameroon, is owned by Jie Yang Trading Ltd, a company registered in Hong Kong and controlled by Chinese citizen Guo Wenjie. 

 

This event follows previous accusations against Chinese-owned vessels for damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea in October 2023 and November 2024. The Shunxing39’s actions have heightened fears in Taiwan about the potential for Beijing to target critical undersea infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to annex the island.

 

Chunghwa Telecom quickly restored essential connections by redirecting data traffic to other submarine cables. Despite this swift response, concerns linger that Beijing could escalate its actions against Taiwan, especially given the strategic importance of such undersea cables in global communications.

 

While Beijing has consistently claimed that Taiwan is a part of China, asserting a preference for diplomatic integration, it has not dismissed the possibility of using force. The recent incident underscores Taiwan's vulnerability to infrastructure sabotage, which could play a role in any future conflicts with China.

 

Taiwan’s coast guard sought assistance from South Korea as the Shunxing39 headed towards the port of Busan. Due to adverse weather conditions, a full inspection of the vessel was not possible, limiting Taiwanese authorities to an external review only. 

 

A senior Taiwanese national security official highlighted the global pattern of undersea cable sabotage, calling it a concerning trend. This is not the first time a Chinese vessel has been implicated in such activities; the Yi Peng 3 was previously accused of severing key cables in the Baltic Sea, reportedly under Russian orchestration.

 

The repeated incidents have alarmed Western nations, with concerns that Russia, potentially with Chinese support, is engaging in "hybrid warfare." The White House has expressed worries over these actions, though the Kremlin has denied any involvement.

 

As the Shunxing39 approaches Busan, international scrutiny remains intense, with Taiwan and its allies closely monitoring the situation to prevent further disruptions to critical communication infrastructure.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-08

 

 

[Luuk Chaai]

practice makes perfect

[thesetat]

It is pretty obvious that cutting the undersea lines is a tactic being tested to gauge responses from the worlds countries affected as well as other nations. So far this makes 4 recent instances around the world. So when will action be taken? i think if it happened to the UK or USA that it would be considered an act of war. 

[jippytum]

Previously a Chineese ship dragged its anchor for sixty nautical miles cutting cables. Why is this covert warefare by the sly Chineese allowed  to contlnue without  strong retaliation by the west.  

Possibly Trump will be the only politicisn world wide with the guts to take then on. 

[JimHuaHin]

Seems that China and Russia are moving towards enacting WWIII.

[spidermike007]

China has been showing its true colors lately. Their intentions are absolutely heinous. Their thirst for power knows no limits. The CCP is a nasty organization with very, very bad intentions. The planet should beware of them. 

[Tropicalevo]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

While Beijing has consistently claimed that Taiwan is a part of China, asserting a preference for diplomatic integration,

 

Liar, liar pants on fire Xi.

Cutting cables and military exercises are NOT diplomatic integration.

[SiSePuede419]

Trump won't do anything to stop them.

The Chinese boats have batteries and he's afraid of sharks. 🦈

 

[SiSePuede419]

30 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The CCP is a nasty organization with very, very bad intentions.

Yeah I hear the CCP is threatening to invade Panama and Greenland to steal them.

"Thou shall not steal"

Oh. Wait.

The rules don't apply to MAGA religious Wackjobs and their anointed Savior. 😆

 

[Purdey]

The worst thing is, cutting cables to China makes the government happier.

[Watawattana]

20 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Yeah I hear the CCP is threatening to invade Panama and Greenland to steal them.

"Thou shall not steal"

Oh. Wait.

The rules don't apply to MAGA religious Wackjobs and their anointed Savior. 😆

 

 

Such a shame that Trump does some great stuff, like using economics to push Canada and Mexico into making their borders more secure (reduction in people and drug trafficking), then he makes such comments on Greenland and Panama and also Canada - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn4xx0q2o.  

 

I'm not going to moan about Trump, he's been duly elected, I just hope to see more of the good stuff happening.

[J Branche]

I hope they work to resolve the issue or make it clear this could hurt you as much or more than it hurts me.

 

Additionally hopefully they start arresting the ships, only releasing when the cost of repair is covered.  Possibly filing insurance claim for repayment of costs for repairs.

[black tabby12345]

CCP's silent declaration of war against Taiwan.

 

[wavodavo]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

China has been showing its true colors lately. Their intentions are absolutely heinous. Their thirst for power knows no limits. The CCP is a nasty organization with very, very bad intentions. The planet should beware of them. 

I reckon Mr.Ping in China will be getting a phone call from the orange man soon.

[RocketDog]

28 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

I reckon Mr.Ping in China will be getting a phone call from the orange man soon.

Just hope Trump doesn't ask to speak to Mr. Ping. But I reckon he also will demonstrate his 'low information' voter mentality.

 

It usually pays to know somebody's proper name before negotiating/threatening them.

[SiSePuede419]

16 hours ago, Purdey said:

The worst thing is, cutting cables to China makes the government happier

You never miss your Kung Flu jokes until your arsenic laden well water runs dry...

 

No more Tik Toke for you, Glasshopper. 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

China has been showing its true colors lately. Their intentions are absolutely heinous. Their thirst for power knows no limits. The CCP is a nasty organization with very, very bad intentions. The planet should beware of them. 

 

Yes.

Truly.

They are the Communist Bandits that we always knew them to be, and they have not changed their spots.

 

GongFei (共匪)  is their name....

And dastardly dealing is their game.

 

Just hope that Trump is up to his game, in order to deal with this Commie Crew.

 

Just ask Gordon G. Chang, of Cornell, if you want to know more:

 

 

BUT....

My question is:

 

a.  Will Gordon outlive the Chinese Communist Party?

b.  Or, will it be the other way round?

 

Gordon is a very nice guy.

But, one must take what he says with a grain of salt.