Incident Overview
On February 25, 2025, Taiwan’s coast guard detained the Togolese-registered cargo ship Hong Tai 58, crewed entirely by Chinese nationals, after an undersea communication cable connecting Taiwan’s main island to the Penghu archipelago was severed. The incident occurred in the early hours, prompting immediate investigation by Taiwanese authorities.
Details of the Detention
The Hong Tai 58 was intercepted near the site of the cable damage, approximately 6 nautical miles northwest of Jiangjun Fishing Harbor. The vessel had been anchored in the area since February 22 and failed to respond to multiple communication attempts from Anping Port authorities. Upon the report of the severed cable by Chunghwa Telecom, the coast guard approached the ship, which had begun moving northwest, and escorted it back to Anping Port for further investigation.
Potential “Grey Zone” Activity
Taiwanese officials have not ruled out the possibility of deliberate “grey zone” tactics by China—actions intended to intimidate or exert pressure without direct military confrontation. The coast guard stated that the cause of the cable damage, whether intentional sabotage or an accident, remains under investigation. The incident is being treated with national security-level priority.
Communication Impact and Response
Despite the severed cable, communications on the Penghu Islands remained unaffected due to the activation of backup systems by Chunghwa Telecom. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has emphasized the importance of securing undersea communication infrastructure and is closely monitoring the situation.
Historical Context
This event adds to a series of similar incidents in recent years. In February 2023, two undersea cables serving Taiwan’s Matsu Islands were severed, leading to significant communication disruptions. While those incidents were suspected to involve Chinese fishing vessels or sand dredgers, definitive conclusions were not reached. The recurrence of such events has heightened concerns over the security of Taiwan’s undersea communication links amid ongoing maritime tensions with China.
