Taiwan’s coast guard detained the Chinese crew of a Togolese-registered vessel suspected of cutting an undersea fiber optic cable linking Taiwan and Penghu.

The ship, Hong Tai 168, had been loitering near the cable before the cut was confirmed.

Taiwan diverted communications to other cables, avoiding service disruption.

Officials classify the incident as potential “gray zone” activity by China.

The event follows tensions over the U.S. removing language opposing Taiwan’s independence from its State Department website, prompting criticism from Beijing, Fox News has reported.

Taiwan remains self-governed despite China’s claims, with U.S. support for its defense.

Written by B.C. Begley