After cable damage, Taiwan to improve surveillance of flag of light ships By Reuters
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan will tighten surveillance and management of light-flag ships, including boarding them, after a cargo ship linked to China allegedly damaged an undersea communications cable, the government said.
Taiwan, which China views as its territory, said that a ship owned by a Hong Kong company but registered in Cameroon and Tanzania damaged a cable in the north of the island earlier this month, although it said it could not confirm. the ship’s intentions and could not board it due to bad weather.
The ship’s owner denied involvement, and the Chinese government said Taiwan was making allegations before it was clear.
The incident has greatly alarmed Taiwan as it has repeatedly complained about China’s “gray zone” activities around the island, designed to suppress it without direct confrontation, such as balloon flights and sand mining.
In a report sent to lawmakers before ministers answered questions in parliament on Thursday, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said it plans to increase surveillance and management of ships flying so-called light flags, targeting those registered in other countries than their original owners.
Such vessels previously found to be misreporting will be put on the list of vessels for preliminary inspection at the ports, he said.
If the ships come within 24 miles of Taiwan’s waters and are close to submarine cables, the coast guard will be dispatched to board them and investigate, the office said.
Taiwan will also encourage greater international cooperation with the United States and Europe regarding the alleged damage to undersea cables, it said.
“The bureau will continue to exchange intelligence with like-minded countries, collect threat warning information, analyze emerging trends in sabotage techniques and false cover, and share protection and response information.”
It did not provide details.
Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, has drawn parallels between what it experienced and damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, Taiwan’s government said Chinese ships flying flags of convenience had “a mark of evil about them”.
