Taiwan's Navy Prepared to Respond to Maritime Threats Amid Cable Damage Concerns

A recent incident in which a ship linked to China was suspected of damaging an undersea communication cable has prompted Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo to declare that the navy will be on standby to assist the coast guard. The ship, owned by a Hong Kong firm and registered in Cameroon and Tanzania, was reported to have caused damage near Taiwan's northern coast, though the intentions of the vessel remain unverified, and boarding attempts were thwarted by poor weather conditions.

In response to the situation, Koo emphasized the importance of military-coast guard collaboration, stating that initial responses would be led by the coast guard, with the navy ready to intervene if necessary. The matter has raised concerns in Taiwan, which has previously highlighted "grey zone" tactics employed by China to exert pressure on the island without direct military confrontation.

Additionally, Taiwan's National Security Bureau Director-General, Tsai Ming-yen, disclosed that the government has initiated an information-sharing system with international partners regarding Chinese maritime activities. Tsai indicated that the focus would shift towards identifying ships under flags of convenience and scrutinizing any potential Chinese maneuvers in the waters surrounding Taiwan. The Taiwanese government has drawn parallels between this incident and similar undersea cable damage experienced in the Baltic Sea after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reinforcing its stance against Chinese sovereignty claims.