China's Submarine Cable Cutting Patents Raise Security Concerns

Chinese engineers have reportedly created technology aimed at severing undersea communication cables, raising significant concerns regarding the vulnerability of these essential infrastructures. A recent report by Newsweek highlighted several patents for anchor-like devices designed for the purpose of cutting submarine cables. Notably, a 2020 patent from Lishui University outlines a more economical and streamlined approach to underwater cable severance, emphasizing the necessity for quicker and less costly alternatives to traditional, labor-intensive methods that involve cable excavation and retrieval. This innovation from the Lishui team draws inspiration from a 2009 patent issued by China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA), which introduced a towing device intended to dismantle unauthorized cables within Chinese territorial waters. The SOA engineers articulated the importance of such a mechanism for the efficient removal of illegal installations. The ramifications of severing submarine cables can be catastrophic, leading to significant disruptions in internet connectivity and leaving regions reliant on emergency systems like satellites. Recent events have intensified these apprehensions. In 2023, the Chinese vessel Newnew Polar Bear inadvertently damaged a natural gas pipeline and telecom cables in the Baltic Sea, with Chinese officials attributing the incident to an accidental trailing anchor. However, similar occurrences involving Chinese vessels have sparked suspicions of intentional sabotage. For instance, in 2024, the freighter Yi Peng 3 was implicated in damage to cables linking Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania, prompting affected governments to characterize the incidents as potential acts of "hybrid warfare." In a recent incident, Taiwan's Trans-Pacific Express Cable System suffered damage from a freighter owned by a Chinese company, leading Taiwanese officials to express alarm over a perceived increase in undersea cable sabotage. They likened the vessels involved to Russia's "shadow fleet," suggesting a deliberate strategy to destabilize the region without inciting direct conflict. The existence of patents for such cutting devices exacerbates fears of strategic disruptions disguised as technological progress.



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Read the full article on the original webpage:  https://voip.review/2025/01/15/chinas-submarine-cable-cutting-patents-raise-security-concerns/

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