Introduction: Tensions Rise Over Undersea Cable Incidents in the Taiwan Strait
The Taiwan Strait has become a focal point of escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, with recent incidents involving severed undersea communications cables sparking accusations and denials. On Wednesday, February 26, the Chinese government accused Taiwan of "manipulating" the situation by implicating China in the latest disruption of an undersea cable. Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, has long complained about what it describes as "grey zone" activities by China—actions designed to exert pressure on the island without direct confrontation. These incidents have added another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two sides.
China’s Response: Dismissing Allegations and Highlighting Maritime Accidents
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, dismissed Taiwan’s accusations, calling the damage to undersea cables a "common maritime accident" that occurs more than a hundred times globally each year. She criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for politicizing the issue before the facts were clear. Zhu emphasized that such incidents should not be used as a pretext for political manipulation, which she argued would not gain popular support. By framing the issue as a maritime accident, China sought to downplay any suggestion of deliberate involvement and shift the focus to the need for objective investigations.
Taiwan’s Perspective: Security Concerns and Historical Context
Taiwan, however, has expressed growing concern over the incidents, particularly after a Chinese-linked cargo ship was detained following the disconnection of a cable near the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait. The island’s coast guard acted swiftly, detaining the ship on Tuesday, February 25, as part of an investigation into the incident. Taiwan’s government has drawn parallels between these events and the damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This comparison underscores Taiwan’s belief that such incidents could be part of a broader strategy to disrupt critical infrastructure and isolate the island from the rest of the world.
Grey Zone Tactics and Their Impact on Taiwan
Taiwan has repeatedly highlighted what it describes as "grey zone" activities by China, which include balloon overflights, sand dredging, and other forms of indirect pressure. These tactics are designed to destabilize Taiwan without crossing the threshold into direct military confrontation. The latest cable incidents have deepen
