52 Chinese Ships Are Closing In On Taiwan – Is An Invasion Finally Happening?

Taiwan intensifies surveillance of 52 Chinese-owned ships to safeguard vital undersea communication cables.

At a Glance

  • Taiwan identifies 52 “suspicious” Chinese-owned ships flying flags of convenience for close monitoring
  • 15 ships considered a “threat” due to activities near Taiwan’s subsea cables in 2024
  • Move follows detention of a Cameroon-flagged vessel suspected of damaging an international cable
  • Taiwan concerned China might sever communication links as part of strategy to seize or blockade the island
  • Coast guard prepared to intervene if ships loiter or navigate slowly near subsea cables

Taiwan’s Proactive Measures to Protect Vital Communication Infrastructure

Taiwan has identified 52 Chinese-owned ships flying flags of convenience that require close monitoring. The island nation’s coast guard is taking decisive action to safeguard its 14 international and 10 domestic underwater cables from potential threats.

Well, that’s worrying.

The heightened surveillance comes in the wake of a recent incident involving a Cameroon-flagged vessel suspected of damaging an international cable northeast of Taiwan. The vessel, owned by a Hong Kong-registered company with a Chinese address for its Director, was briefly detained, raising concerns about potential sabotage attempts.

The use of flags of convenience has emerged as a significant concern for Taiwanese authorities. This practice allows ships to register in countries with which they have no real connection, often resulting in less stringent oversight. The 52 ships identified by Taiwan are flagged from various nations, including Mongolia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Togo, and Sierra Leone.

Of particular concern are 15 ships considered a “threat” due to their activities near Taiwan’s subsea cables in 2024. Even more alarming, five of these vessels have been active in Taiwan’s waters for over 15 days, posing the greatest potential risk to the island’s communication infrastructure.

Taiwan’s Response and Heightened Vigilance

Taiwanese authorities are not taking these threats lightly. The coast guard has implemented a robust monitoring system to detect any anomalies in ships’ Automatic Identification System (AIS) operations and potential misuse of vessel names. Ships found loitering or navigating slowly near subsea cables will face immediate consequences.

The coast guard’s approach to the problem includes issuing warnings to suspicious vessels, conducting boarding inspections, and, if necessary, forcibly removing ships from sensitive areas. These measures underscore Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining its maritime and communication security in the face of growing regional tensions.

Taiwan’s heightened vigilance comes against the backdrop of China’s longstanding claim over the island as its territory. The Chinese government has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, raising concerns about potential strategies to isolate or destabilize the island.

The vulnerability of Taiwan’s communication infrastructure was highlighted in February 2023 when two telecom lines to the Matsu archipelago were cut, disrupting communications for weeks. This incident served as a wake-up call for Taiwanese authorities, prompting the current intensified monitoring efforts.

Is an invasion imminent? It certainly feels like it.