China Says Taiwanese Smugglers Controlled a Ship Linked to Undersea Cable Damage Near Taiwan

Advanced | January 10, 2026

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A Cable Break Turns Into a Cross-Strait Argument

Undersea internet cables are the kind of infrastructure you never think about—until something snaps. China says an investigation found that two Taiwanese men controlled a vessel connected to undersea cable damage near Taiwan, turning a technical incident into a political fight. The ship at the center of the story is the Togo-registered Hong Tai 58, which was Chinese-crewed and allegedly involved in damaging cables off Taiwan earlier this year. (Al Jazeera)

What China Claims Happened

According to Chinese authorities in Weihai (Shandong province), their probe concluded that the Hong Tai 58 was part of a long-running smuggling operation moving frozen goods into China. They said two Taiwanese nationals were operating the ship and wider network, and they framed the cable incident as connected to that illegal trade, not sabotage. (Reuters)

The Taiwan Side: “Hybrid Warfare” and “Grey Zone” Tactics

Taipei has pushed back hard. Taiwan has described cable incidents like this as possible “grey zone” or “hybrid warfare” pressure—acts that create disruption but stay below the level of open conflict. China denies that, calling the incident a routine maritime event that Taiwan has exaggerated for political reasons. (Al Jazeera)

A Court Case, a Prison Sentence, and a New Chinese “Bounty”

One reason this story won’t die is that it already produced a legal outcome on Taiwan’s side. Reuters reports that a Taiwanese court sentenced the Chinese captain of the Hong Tai 58 to three years in prison after finding he intentionally damaged undersea cables in February. Then, China’s public security bureau announced rewards of up to 250,000 yuan for information on two suspects (surnames Chien and Chen) and said they’ve been on a customs wanted list since 2014. (Reuters)

Why Undersea Cable Damage Near Taiwan Matters to Everyone

This is bigger than one ship. Undersea cables are the backbone of the internet, carrying the vast majority of global data traffic. Al Jazeera notes that 100–200 cable breaks happen every year worldwide, and proving intent is tough because cables can be damaged by anchors, fishing gear, storms, or seafloor movement. Around Taiwan, repeated incidents have raised alarms because even “accidents” can add up to strategic pressure over time. (Al Jazeera)

What to Watch Next

If you’re thinking like a businessperson, this is a story about risk management: critical systems, weak points, and what happens when a single failure triggers legal, political, and economic blowback. The next developments will likely focus on evidence—ship tracking data, ownership control, and whether investigators can show deliberate action versus reckless navigation. Either way, this undersea cable damage near Taiwan story is a reminder that modern life runs on invisible cables—and they’re surprisingly easy to disrupt.

Vocabulary (10)

Undersea cable (noun) – a cable on the ocean floor that carries internet and communication data.
Example: “A damaged undersea cable can slow or disrupt communications.”
Backbone (noun) – the main supporting structure of a system.
Example: “Undersea cables are the backbone of global internet traffic.”
Probe (noun) – an official investigation.
Example: “China announced the probe’s findings on the ship’s control.”
Smuggling (noun) – moving goods illegally across borders.
Example: “Authorities said the ship was part of a smuggling operation.”
Allegedly (adverb) – according to claims that are not proven yet.
Example: “The crew allegedly damaged the cable during the voyage.”
Jurisdiction (noun) – legal authority over a place or person.
Example: “Taiwan argued China has no jurisdiction over its citizens.”
Bounty (noun) – a reward offered for information or help.
Example: “Police offered a bounty for tips about the suspects.”
Grey zone (noun phrase) – actions that are aggressive but fall short of open war.
Example: “Taiwan called the incident a grey zone tactic.”
Plausible deniability (noun phrase) – the ability to deny responsibility because proof is unclear.
Example: “Cable damage can create plausible deniability if evidence is limited.”
Infrastructure (noun) – the basic systems a society relies on (networks, roads, power, etc.).
Example: “Telecom infrastructure is critical for business and daily life.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What does China claim about who controlled the Hong Tai 58?
Why does Taiwan describe undersea cable incidents as “grey zone” tactics?
What legal actions have already happened, according to the reporting?
Why is it hard to prove whether cable damage is deliberate?
What kinds of evidence would help clarify what really happened?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

What other types of “invisible infrastructure” do we rely on every day?
How should governments protect undersea cables without escalating conflict?
If a company depends on connectivity, what backup plans should it have?
Should countries punish “reckless” cable damage the same as sabotage? Why or why not?
How can the public evaluate claims when both sides tell very different stories?

Related Idiom or Phrase

“The devil is in the details” – the small facts matter, especially in complicated situations.

Example: “In an undersea cable dispute, the devil is in the details—tracking data, timing, and who controlled the ship.”

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Sources (for reference)

This article was inspired by Al Jazeera.