Taiwan Detains Chinese-Linked Ship Suspected of Severing Undersea Cable

The detention of the Hong Tai 58, a ship crewed by Chinese nationals, is the latest in a series of incidents involving Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure.

In this file image, a member of the Taiwan Coast Guard monitors a China Coast Guard boat as it passes near the coast of Matsu islands, Taiwan, on Oct. 14, 2024, in a still from video. Taiwan Coast Guard via AP

Taiwan’s coast guard said on Tuesday it had detained a cargo ship linked to China after an undersea cable to the Penghu Islands was severed.

The coast guard issued a statement saying the Hong Tai 58, a ship crewed by Chinese nationals but flying a flag of convenience—the African country of Togo—was intercepted in waters between Taiwan’s west coast and the Penghu Islands.