Taiwan’s navy will assist the coast guard in addressing suspicious activity near undersea communication cables if required, Defence Minister Wellington Koo announced on Thursday. This follows concerns over a Chinese-linked vessel suspected of damaging a cable north of Taiwan earlier this month, reports Reuters.
The cable incident involved a ship owned by a Hong Kong company but registered in both Cameroon and Tanzania. Taiwan reported the damage but could not verify the ship’s intentions or board it due to adverse weather conditions. The ship’s owner denied involvement, while Beijing dismissed Taiwan’s allegations as baseless.
“Grey Zone” Tensions and Response Mechanisms
Taiwan remains on high alert over China’s “grey zone” activities, including balloon overflights, sand dredging, and potential threats to critical infrastructure like undersea cables. Such actions, designed to pressure Taiwan without direct conflict, have raised significant security concerns.
Defence Minister Koo emphasized coordinated efforts with the coast guard to monitor critical areas:
- “The coast guard will respond first, and the navy will immediately step in if necessary,” Koo told reporters.
Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen confirmed an active collaboration with international partners to share intelligence on Chinese maritime activities. While specific details remain undisclosed, Tsai highlighted the focus on vessels flying “flags of convenience” – ships registered in countries other than their actual owner – often linked to suspicious operations near Taiwan.
Parallels to Global Incidents
Taiwan’s government has drawn comparisons between this incident and similar disruptions in the Baltic Sea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Taiwan asserts that Chinese ships flying flags of convenience exhibit “the mark of evil,” suggesting potential misuse in activities around the island.
Geopolitical Implications
As Taiwan continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, incidents like these underscore the island’s strategic vulnerability and the necessity for robust defense measures.
