Taiwan’s coast guard has identified 52 “suspicious” Chinese-owned ships flying flags of convenience that require close monitoring near the island as part of its efforts to protect critical subsea telecommunications cables. This intensified scrutiny follows an incident earlier this month in which a Cameroon-flagged vessel was detained for allegedly damaging an international cable northeast of Taiwan.
The coast guard’s announcement underscores growing concerns in Taipei over potential threats to the island’s communication infrastructure amid rising tensions with China. Taiwan views its undersea cables, which provide vital global connectivity, as vulnerable targets in a possible Chinese effort to blockade or disrupt the island.
Flags of convenience enable shipping companies to register their vessels in countries with which they have no real ties. This arrangement often provides reduced regulatory oversight and lower operating costs. The 52 ships flagged by Taiwan are registered under countries such as Mongolia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Togo, and Sierra Leone.
The Taiwanese coast guard explained that port records and data from the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MOU), a regional agreement on port state control, were used to highlight these vessels.
Fifteen of the identified ships are classified as “threats” due to their suspicious behavior, including loitering or slow navigation near Taiwan’s subsea cables throughout 2024. Of these, five vessels deemed the most concerning had been active in Taiwan’s northern, western, and southern waters, lingering within the island’s territorial seas for more than 15 days.
“This pattern of behavior warrants closer surveillance,” the coast guard said in a statement.
Taiwan’s subsea telecom infrastructure consists of 14 international cables and 10 domestic ones. These cables are essential not only for the island’s communication and internet services but also for maintaining global data traffic.
Taiwan’s government remains acutely aware of the risks posed by potential sabotage. In February 2023, two subsea cables connecting Taiwan to the outlying Matsu archipelago were severed, causing significant disruptions to communications that lasted weeks.
Analysts warn that cutting these cables could be part of a larger strategy by Beijing to weaken Taiwan’s resilience during a crisis. Such an act would isolate the island, both internally and from the international community, making it harder to coordinate defense or provide aid.
The coast guard is particularly concerned about anomalies in the behavior of vessels near these critical installations. This includes disruptions to the automatic identification system (AIS), which tracks a ship’s location and movements. Ships exhibiting erratic AIS activity or using fake or misappropriated vessel names are flagged for further investigation.
Suspicious behavior, such as loitering, slow navigation, or anchoring near subsea cables, will trigger a response. Ships will first receive radio warnings to leave the area. If a vessel fails to comply, the coast guard will dispatch ships to collect evidence and drive the vessel away.
“In cases where the threat is deemed significant, boarding inspections will be conducted,” the coast guard said. “We are committed to safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime and international communications security.”
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification, routinely contests Taiwan’s sovereignty. The heightened maritime security measures reflect Taipei’s broader strategy to counter what it perceives as a growing threat from Beijing.
The Chinese government has yet to comment on Taiwan’s latest announcement. However, China often criticizes measures by Taipei as “provocations” that escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan faces the challenge of balancing maritime security with the island’s economic reliance on shipping. As a major hub for global trade, Taiwan’s ports are frequented by commercial vessels from around the world. While security measures are essential, they must not hinder legitimate trade.
To address this, Taiwan’s coast guard and other agencies are working closely with international partners to ensure smooth and secure operations in its waters. The involvement of the Tokyo MOU, a multilateral body focused on port state control, is indicative of Taiwan’s efforts to align with international standards.
Taiwan’s stricter surveillance measures come against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical landscape. Relations between China and Taiwan are at their lowest in decades, with the island regularly facing military pressure from Beijing.
In recent years, China has ramped up its military activities near Taiwan, including frequent incursions into the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and naval exercises in nearby waters. Taiwan views these actions as part of a broader strategy to test its defenses and intimidate its government.
Observers note that the vulnerability of subsea cables is a growing concern not just for Taiwan but globally. These cables carry about 95% of the world’s international data traffic, making them critical to the modern economy. Any disruption could have far-reaching consequences.
Taiwan’s coast guard has emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to maritime security. Efforts to protect the island’s subsea cables are part of a broader strategy that includes military readiness and international cooperation.
The Taiwanese government has also called on private shipping companies to enhance transparency and comply with international regulations to help mitigate risks.
“At a time of heightened tensions, it is more important than ever for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the security of vital infrastructure,” a senior coast guard official said.
