Comment by alisonatwork
14 days ago
Even if these "accidents" are a state sponsored (or at least condoned) action, it seems certain states have realized they can happen over and over again without consequences[0].
The frustrating part of this kind of petty tactic is that bullies can do just enough to annoy and inconvenience their targets, while never quite doing enough to make it worth expending the political capital to hold them to account. From the bully's perspective there's no downside. And if legitimate accidents or rogue actions get portrayed as deliberate then all the better - that just reinforces the bully's reputation as an actor to be feared while further eroding trust in the international institutions that may one day challenge it.
Wouldn’t the ship insurance company be responsible for the costs?
At some point insurers are going to increase their costs to these Chinese companies to the point that sabotage does not become viable anymore.
Hence the solution of needing a bigger bully on your side.