A gas explosion at a mall in Taiching City, Taiwan, killed at least four people and injured many others. The coast guard detained a China-linked cargo ship after an undersea cable to the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait was disconnected. Taiwan has raised concerns about “grey zone” Chinese activities near the island, like balloon overflights and sand dredging, which aim to pressure Taiwan without direct confrontation. The Chinese-crewed Hong Tai 58, registered in Togo, was detained by the coast guard for dropping anchor near the sea cable around the time it was disconnected. Communication between Taiwan and other offshore islands was not affected as services were redirected to other cables.
This incident is being treated as a national security matter by Taiwan, with concerns about the suspicious behavior of the Chinese-linked ship. Taiwan has experienced multiple undersea cable malfunctions this year, with five reported cases compared to three each in 2024 and 2023. In 2023, two undersea cables connecting the Matsu islands were cut, causing internet disconnection. While Taiwan authorities blame Chinese vessels for these disruptions, they have not found evidence of deliberate tampering by Beijing. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, with the former trying to protect its vital communication links while facing pressure from its larger neighbor.
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