Beijing Pushes Back Against Allegations of ‘Grey-Zone’ Tactics as Global Disputes Over Submarine Cables Grow

In a move to position itself as a key player in safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure, China has released a 44-page report emphasising its role in the construction, operation, and security of submarine cables.

China’s Stand on Submarine Cable Security
By Lim Min Zhang

The report, published on 25 March by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, comes at a time when suspicions surrounding recent cable disruptions—particularly incidents linked to Chinese-crewed vessels near Taiwan—have intensified concerns over Beijing’s alleged “grey-zone” strategies.

“China is an active builder, reliable operator, and security maintainer of international submarine cables,” the report stated, highlighting that Chinese enterprises have been long engaged in their protection and maintenance. It also noted that Chinese laws include penalties for damaging undersea cables.

Undersea fibre optic cables, which carry over 99% of global internet traffic, have become a focal point in US-China tensions, with both nations seeking to prevent strategic infrastructure from falling under rival influence. These cables are essential for global communication, financial transactions, defence coordination, and artificial intelligence development.

Rising Concerns Over Cable Disruptions
Amid growing security anxieties, cases of suspected sabotage have raised questions about the vulnerability of these cables, which typically rest on the seabed or are buried shallowly, making them prone to damage.

In January, a Hong Kong-owned, Chinese-crewed cargo ship was suspected by Taiwan of damaging a subsea telecom cable off its north-eastern coast. A month later, another Chinese-crewed vessel was detained after a separate cable disruption affected Taiwan’s link to the Penghu islands, located about 50km offshore.

While no direct evidence of Beijing’s involvement has surfaced, analysts note that such operations—falling short of direct military action—are difficult to attribute and align with pressure tactics China has increasingly used against Taiwan.

A 25 March article by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency refuted allegations of sabotage, claiming that Western countries were unfairly portraying China’s submarine cable industry as a security risk. “These accusations are merely attempts to suppress China’s technological growth,” the report argued. The Global Times also dismissed concerns, calling them “groundless” and aimed at undermining Chinese companies.

US and Allies Strengthen Undersea Cable Security
In response to increasing submarine cable security threats—including disruptions in the Baltic and Red Seas—the US introduced the New York Principles in September 2024. This initiative aims to mitigate risks associated with undersea cables and has been endorsed by over a dozen nations, including Britain, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore.

The principles advocate for using “secure and verifiable” cable providers with transparent ownership structures. However, China has strongly opposed the initiative, arguing that Washington is using security concerns to discriminate against Chinese firms.

The Battle for Global Cable Dominance
China’s fast-growing HMN Tech, based in Tianjin, has challenged long-standing industry leaders such as US-based SubCom, France’s Alcatel Submarine Networks, and Japan’s NEC. In 2023, reports surfaced that the US government had intervened to block HMN Tech from securing a US$600 million contract for the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable project, redirecting it to SubCom instead.

As competition intensifies, recent Chinese research into advanced cable-cutting technologies has raised further questions about Beijing’s intentions. While some experts argue the research is purely academic, others view it within a broader geopolitical context.

Dr Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted that technological advancements in undersea operations are outpacing government efforts to strengthen cable security. This, he said, makes concerns over potential misuse of such technologies both “natural and understandable.”

Similarly, Professor Wang Yiwei of Renmin University in Beijing dismissed fears of deep-sea cable tampering as overblown, arguing that the technological challenge of severing cables at 4,000m depths makes such claims unrealistic.

With global dependence on undersea cables only increasing, the geopolitical contest over their security, ownership, and management is likely to remain a flashpoint in international relations.