Chinese captain convicted of damaging undersea cable deported

Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) A Chinese fishing boat captain convicted of damaging the Taiwan-Matsu No. 2 undersea cable (TDM2) last year was deported to China on Thursday after paying a fine and compensation, according to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA).

In a news release, the CGA said the Mainland Affairs Council approved the deportation of the man, surnamed Wu (吳), and he was escorted out of Taiwan at 9:40 a.m. from Fu'ao Port in Nangan to Huangqi Port in Fuzhou, China, via ferry.

The incident occurred on the night of Oct. 7, 2025, when Wu's vessel the "Min Lian Yu 60138" was about 4.2 nautical miles north of a cable station in Dongyin. Its net became entangled with an abandoned anchor, damaging the TDM2. The Coast Guard later intercepted the vessel and arrested Wu.

According to a court document, Wu was sentenced by the Fuchien Lienchiang District Court last month to three months in prison, commutable to a fine, for negligently damaging the cable. He later paid NT$250,000 (US$7,921) in compensation to Chunghwa Telecom and more than NT$90,000 to commute his prison sentence after the ruling was finalized.

The court said that with years of experience as a captain, Wu should have been aware the area was covered by telecommunications cables, but still negligently damaged the cable. The sentence took into account his confession during the investigation and the settlement reached with Chunghwa Telecom.

Taiwan is a democratic country governed by the rule of law, and the court acted fairly and objectively, basing its decisions on evidence and treating intentional acts differently from accidents, the CGA said.

In contrast to Wu's case, the CGA said the captain of the Chinese cargo vessel "Hong Tai 58" was found to have deliberately damaged the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable in February 2025 and sentenced to three years in prison, showing Taiwan's judiciary is independent and applies clear sentencing standards.