Taiwan’s coast guard has reported suspicions that a vessel may have damaged an undersea communications cable over the weekend, but adverse weather conditions hindered their personnel from boarding the ship for an investigation.

On Saturday, the coast guard indicated that a ship registered in both Cameroon and Tanzania was believed to be responsible for the damage to the cable located northeast of the island. By late Monday, they announced that poor weather had prevented them from boarding the vessel, which had since proceeded to Busan, South Korea. They confirmed that all seven crew members were Chinese nationals and that the unnamed owner was based in Hong Kong.

The coast guard noted that, referencing previous incidents of undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea last year, it is challenging to ascertain the vessel’s true intentions based on its historical routes. This statement alludes to concerns raised by Baltic Sea nations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not provided a response to inquiries regarding the situation.

Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, has expressed concerns over ongoing Chinese military activities in the region, including balloon overflights and sand dredging operations. These actions, characterized as “grey zone” tactics, aim to exert pressure on Taiwan without engaging in direct conflict. A senior security official from Taiwan informed Reuters that Taipei has sought assistance from Seoul regarding the ship, but South Korea’s coast guard has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs announced late Monday that the damage to the undersea cable had not impacted communications, with repairs anticipated to be completed by February 3. In 2023, two undersea cables linking the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands, located near the Chinese coast, were severed, isolating the 14,000 residents from internet access. Authorities initially reported that a Chinese fishing vessel and a freighter were responsible for the incident, although they found no evidence suggesting that Beijing intentionally interfered with the cables.

In recent years, Taiwan has focused on enhancing its emergency response capabilities, preparing for various crises, including natural disasters and military conflicts, by developing alternative communication methods such as satellite systems in the event that its international sea cables are compromised.