> What would be the motivation for a Chinese trade ship to deliberately cut an internet cable?

The most charitable reason is that they don't give a fluck. Same reason why their rocket boosters just fall wherever they fall, population center or not

Edit: https://x.com/Tendar/status/1859147985424196010

> The skipper of the Chinese ship is a Russian national and the route leads from Ust-Luga (Russia) to Port Said (Egypt).

Is there any data on which country's ships cut the most internet cables?

I think we need a total ships sailing for country / cuts.