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Taiwan Accuses China of 'Transnational Suppression' in Undersea Cable Case

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has accused China of "transnational suppression and political manipulation" following Chinese claims that Taiwanese individuals orchestrated a smuggling operation linked to damaged undersea cables. This comes months after a Taiwanese court sentenced the Chinese captain of the involved vessel to three years in prison for deliberately damaging the cables. China's public security bureau announced a reward for information on two Taiwanese nationals, alleging their involvement in a multi-vessel smuggling scheme. Taiwan dismissed the Chinese findings, stating the case is judicially concluded and challenging China's jurisdiction, while offering to collaborate if concrete evidence is shared through proper channels.

Key Points: Taiwan Rejects China's Claims in Subsea Cable Smuggling Case

  • Taiwan convicted a Chinese captain for cable damage
  • China claims Taiwanese individuals orchestrated smuggling
  • Taiwan accuses China of political manipulation
  • Case highlights cross-strait legal jurisdiction dispute
2 min read

Taiwan accuses China of 'transnational suppression' over undersea cable smuggling claims

Taiwan dismisses China's investigation into a damaged undersea cable as "transnational suppression," after a Chinese captain was already convicted by a Taiwanese court.

"publicly naming individuals and offering rewards is not a civilised method; it merely represents another instance of transnational suppression and political manipulation - Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council"

Taipei, December 25

The Mainland Affairs Council accused China of engaging in "transnational suppression and political manipulation" after a Chinese public security agency claimed that Taiwanese nationals were responsible for a smuggling scheme involving a vessel crewed by Chinese that was damaged undersea cables earlier this year, according to the report from Taipei Times.

In June, a Taiwanese court sentenced the Chinese captain of the Togo-registered ship Hong Tai 58 to three years in prison after determining he was guilty of deliberately damaging subsea cables off Taiwan in February, which raised concerns among officials.

The public security bureau in Weihai, located in China's Shandong Province, stated that its investigation into the incident revealed that two Taiwanese individuals orchestrated a multi-vessel operation that was unlawfully transporting frozen goods into China. These findings from Chinese authorities followed interviews with seven crew members from the Hong Tai 58, as reported by Taipei Times.

The Weihai public security bureau announced a reward of up to 250,000 yuan (US$35,370) for any information or assistance related to the two Taiwanese individuals, surnamed Chien and Chen, mentioning that they have been on a wanted list by a Chinese customs office since 2014, as cited by the Taipei Times report.

The MAC dismissed the Chinese findings in a statement released yesterday.

"Concerning the incident involving the Togolese-flagged Hong Tai 58 cargo vessel, which caused damage to the third submarine cable connecting Taiwan with the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, it has been confirmed that the Chinese captain of the ship intentionally harmed the undersea cable," the council stated.

"The criminal act and supporting evidence have been clearly established. The case has been thoroughly investigated and concluded by Taiwan's judicial authorities, and the defendant has received a three-year prison sentence," the council reported, according to the Taipei Times.

"The Chinese Communist Party [CCP] lacks jurisdiction over Taiwan. If the CCP's Ministry of Public Security possesses solid evidence, it can share that evidence with Taiwan's law enforcement agencies to collaborate in preventing cross-strait crimes. However, without concrete evidence, publicly naming individuals and offering rewards is not a civilised method; it merely represents another instance of transnational suppression and political manipulation," the council remarked, as noted by the Taipei Times report.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, the Taiwanese council's point about sharing evidence for collaboration makes sense. If China has proof, they should present it through proper channels instead of public accusations and rewards. This "wanted list" tactic seems more about intimidation than justice.
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Rohit P
Undersea cables are critical infrastructure! Damaging them is a serious crime, no matter who does it. The focus should be on securing these cables and punishing the actual culprits, not on political point-scoring across the strait. Hope they find a way to cooperate on this.
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Ananya R
Reading this from India, it's a reminder of how China operates. They often use these methods to pressure their neighbors. Taiwan's response was quite measured and logical. The "transnational suppression" charge seems accurate based on the facts presented.
M
Michael C
While I understand Taiwan's frustration, I have to respectfully disagree with the tone of some comments. The article says the Chinese investigation found a multi-vessel smuggling operation. Isn't it possible both narratives have some truth? A joint investigation would be ideal, but politics gets in the way.
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Priya S
The timing is suspicious. The case was concluded in June. Why is China bringing this up now in December? And offering a reward? It feels less about the cables and more about asserting control and creating a narrative. Taiwan handled it correctly through their courts.

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