TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwanese authorities are probing a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of damaging an undersea communications cable in an incident that could heighten tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

The Togolese-flagged vessel, Hongtai, was intercepted early this week by Taiwan's coast guard in waters between Taiwan's main island and the outlying Penghu Islands, following a report from telecom provider Chunghwa Telecom about a severed cable.

According to the coast guard, the Hongtai had been anchored in the area since the weekend. Despite repeated signals from authorities at Anping Port in Tainan, the vessel failed to respond seven times before it started sailing northwest. It was later escorted to the port for further inspection.

The entire crew of eight aboard the Hongtai are Chinese nationals, and officials are treating the case as a national security matter.

"The cause of the underwater cable break, whether it was due to intentional sabotage or simply an accident, is still pending further investigation," the coast guard said. "The possibility of this being part of a gray-zone incursion by China cannot be ruled out."

Taiwan's backup system prevented communications disruptions on the Penghu Islands, but concerns persist.

This incident is the latest in a string of similar cases involving undersea cable damage around Taiwan. Taipei previously accused China of being responsible. Earlier this year, another Chinese cargo ship was suspected of damaging a cable northeast of the island.

In February 2023, two undersea cables connecting Taiwan's Matsu Islands were cut, causing weeks of major communication blackouts.

Taiwan fears that Beijing could target undersea cables as part of a broader strategy to disrupt communications in the event of a blockade or military action. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taipei insists on its sovereignty and independence.

When asked about the latest incident, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said they were not aware of the issue and claimed it did not fall under diplomatic matters.