China-Linked Shipowner Refutes Allegations of Undersea Cable Damage Off Taiwan Coast

Allegations Surface Regarding 'Shunxin 39'

Taiwanese authorities have raised concerns over the alleged involvement of a China-linked vessel, the 'Shunxin 39', in damaging an undersea communications cable off its northern coast. The incident was reported by Chunghwa Telecom on January 3, 2025, prompting an investigation by Taiwan's coast guard. The vessel, identified as being tied to Hong Kong's Jie Yang Trading and registered in Cameroon and Tanzania, was discovered at the scene. Taiwan's coast guard attempted to board the ship for investigation but was unable to do so due to adverse weather conditions. They noted that while the ship's intentions could not be immediately ascertained, the possibility of its involvement in 'grey zone' activities was not ruled out. Despite the damage, Taiwan's digital ministry confirmed that communication services remained uninterrupted, with backup systems activating seamlessly.

Shipowner and Beijing Issue Denials

Guo Wenjie, director of Jie Yang Trading, explicitly denied that his ship was responsible for the cable damage, stating to Reuters, 'There's no evidence at all.' He characterized the vessel's voyage as routine and confirmed that communications with the ship's captain were normal. The coast guard did not detain the vessel following these exchanges. In response to Taiwan's allegations, China's Taiwan Affairs Office described the cable damage as a 'common maritime accident,' noting that over 100 such incidents occur globally each year. They suggested that Taiwan's concerns were 'exaggerated and unfounded,' emphasizing that mainland China does not pose a direct threat.

Escalating Tensions and Further Incidents

This incident has triggered alarm among Taiwan's security officials, who view such events as having broader implications for international communications. Concerns are heightened due to previous disruptions involving Chinese vessels, which have caused communication blackouts for Taiwan's outlying islands. In a separate but related development, Taiwan's prosecutors in April 2025 charged the Chinese captain of another vessel, the Togo-registered 'Hong Tai 58,' with intentionally damaging an undersea cable off southwestern Taiwan in February 2025. The captain, identified only by his surname Wang, was subsequently sentenced to three years in jail in June 2025, marking Taiwan's first criminal case related to undersea cable sabotage.

Conflicting Narratives from Beijing

In December 2025, China's public security bureau in Weihai, Shandong province, presented a contrasting narrative regarding the 'Hong Tai 58' incident. Their investigation claimed that two Taiwanese men, identified by the surnames Chien and Chen, were behind a smuggling operation involving the vessel and were responsible for the cable damage. Chinese authorities offered a reward for information leading to their arrest. China's Taiwan Affairs Office further accused Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of 'manipulating' the incident for political reasons and 'maliciously hyping up' the situation. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) rejected China's findings, asserting that the Chinese captain's criminal behavior was established and that he is currently serving his sentence, accusing China of 'cross-border suppression and political manipulation.'