Taiwan’s investigation into damage to an undersea communications cable has sparked heightened tensions, with a Chinese-registered vessel emerging as a key figure in the case. The incident, which took place on January 3, has led to concerns in Taipei about "grey zone" activities—covert operations by China aimed at exerting pressure without direct conflict, as reported by Reuters. 

The damaged cable was first reported by Taiwan’s telecom provider, Chunghwa Telecom, prompting the coast guard to launch an investigation. The vessel in question, the "Shunxin 39," was found near the cable’s location and registered in both Cameroon and Tanzania. Despite rough seas preventing direct inspection, the coast guard noted that it could not rule out the possibility of "grey zone" activities, a common tactic employed by China in the region. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged linking the vessel to the cable damage.

Guo Wenjie, the director of Jie Yang Trading, the Hong Kong-based company that owns the ship, vehemently denied any involvement. Speaking to Reuters, Guo confirmed that the vessel was in the vicinity but insisted that it was on a regular voyage with no connection to the cable disruption. "There’s no evidence at all," he said, dismissing the accusation and adding that Taiwan authorities did not detain the vessel after exchanges with its captain.

While Taiwan officials have stressed that communications were unaffected, the incident has raised alarms, particularly given the vulnerability of undersea cables in the region. Taiwan’s security agencies are briefing international diplomats, noting that disruptions to such infrastructure could have wider global implications.

Taiwan has already been on edge about its undersea cables following similar incidents in 2023 near the Matsu Islands, where cables were also cut by vessels allegedly linked to China. In response, Taiwan has been bolstering its resilience, exploring alternative communications such as satellite-based systems to mitigate potential threats.

The dispute highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China, as Beijing continues to assert claims over the island, raising concerns about both cyber and physical threats to critical infrastructure.