Summary
China has accused two Taiwanese nationals of smuggling frozen goods using a ship that damaged undersea cables in February. The damaged cables have increased tensions between China and Taiwan, with China denying any intentional sabotage. A Taiwanese court sentenced the ship's Chinese captain for the cable damage, but China continues to refute claims of deliberate malfeasance.
Key Facts
- China accuses two Taiwanese men of operating a ship that damaged undersea cables.
- The ship involved, Hong Tai 58, is registered in Togo.
- The incident increased tensions between China and Taiwan.
- China denies any sabotage claims, calling the damage a common maritime occurrence.
- A Taiwanese court gave a three-year jail sentence to the ship's Chinese captain.
- Two Taiwanese nationals involved in the smuggling have been wanted by Chinese customs since 2014.
- Subsea cables are crucial for internet and telecoms, but are prone to breaks from sea movements or human activity.
