Hong Kong media boasts of CCP cutting off deep-sea cable technology, experts interpret

Recent reports from Hong Kong media reveal that Chinese experts have developed equipment capable of cutting through submarine “armored cables,” with the potential to disrupt global communications. Incidents of submarine cable damage have occurred frequently in Nordic and Taiwanese waters in recent years, all suspected to have ties to China. Experts warn that China’s high-profile promotion of this technology as a form of extreme pressure on Taiwan could lead to it being viewed as an enemy of the international community.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post on March 22nd, the China Shipbuilding Scientific Research Center (CSSRC) and its affiliated National Key Laboratory for Deep-Sea Manned Equipment have designed a deep-sea cable cutting device. This technology specifically targets the so-called “armored cables” reinforced with steel, rubber, and polymers, which support 95% of global data transmission.

The device is described in a paper as using a 150-millimeter diamond-coated grinding wheel spinning at a speed of 1600 revolutions per minute, capable of pulverizing steel while minimizing disturbance to marine sediments. Operated by mechanical arms in near-zero visibility, the device is equipped with advanced positioning technology to prevent errors in location.

It is reported that on February 24th, the Chinese journal “Mechanical Engineering” published a paper by Hu Haolong and his team discussing this technology.

The report highlights that this deep-sea cable cutting device can operate in environments with water depths of up to 4000 meters, doubling the current operational range of underwater communication infrastructure.

This marks the first time that a country has officially disclosed possessing such a weapon capable of disrupting critical underwater networks. The device has the capability to sever some of the world’s most secure underwater communication or power lines, potentially shaking up the global maritime power dynamics.

China’s rapid and covert technology for cutting undersea cables has raised concerns since the end of last year.

Previously reported by Epoch Times, in 2020, China’s State Intellectual Property Office published a patent application titled “A Towed Submarine Cable Cutting Device and Its Cable Cutting Method.” The invention features a cutting blade installed on an anchor, allowing a towing vessel to swiftly sever undersea fiber-optic cables, with detailed operating instructions. The applicant for this patent is Lishui University, a government-owned institution in Zhejiang Province.

In 2011, the Chinese “Naval Communication Application Research Institute” applied for a patent for a “Deep-Sea Fiber Optic Underwater Cutting Recovery Device,” capable of automatically cutting and retrieving submarine cables at a depth of 2000 meters.

Further investigation reveals that there are several similar technologies developed by Chinese military or state-owned enterprises and research institutions.

Despite China’s emphasis on the civilian nature of this technology, such as for rescue efforts and seabed mining, its recent push under the guise of military-civil fusion raises concerns over the threats posed to global communication networks and maritime security.

Assistant Researcher Wang Xiowen from the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies expressed to Epoch Times that China has long possessed such technology, and by publicizing it through foreign media, China is showcasing its ability to cut undersea cables in deep-sea technological fields, with advancing capabilities. This indeed poses a significant security threat to global communication networks, especially critical infrastructure in Taiwan.

Wang Xiowen noted that advanced technologies are often developed to enhance human welfare, rather than for the purpose of disrupting daily life. However, China is employing advanced technology for “malicious applications,” such as cutting off other countries’ undersea cables before using it for rescue operations or seabed developments. Just as how China installed robotic arms in satellites not for space debris removal but for capturing other countries’ satellites in orbit.

In recent years, incidents of undersea cable damage around the world have been repeatedly linked to China. Chinese cargo ships damaging undersea cables have been caught multiple times.

In October 2023, a Chinese container ship flying the Hong Kong flag, named “Newnew Polar Bear,” damaged a natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Both Finnish and Estonian authorities have not yet clarified whether this incident was intentional or accidental.

In early 2023, there was over 50 days of internet blackout in Matsu, Taiwan. Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed on February 16, 2023, that connections between Taiwan and Matsu were severed on February 2 and 8 by Chinese fishing and cargo ships. Chunghwa Telecom, a Taiwanese telecom operator, reported that the Matsu undersea cables had been damaged over 20 times in the past five years, with two cables being disrupted within six days for the first time.

In November 2024, two telecommunication cables linking Sweden and Denmark in the Baltic Sea were severed. The Chinese bulk carrier vessel, “Yi Peng 3,” sailed through the area where the cables were cut, prompting Swedish authorities to issue a warrant for its arrest.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, during an EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels, stated that the damage to the Baltic Sea cables was “clearly a deliberate act,” and it is improbable that ship anchors accidentally caused the damage. He considered it a form of “hybrid warfare” targeting Europe.

In January of this year, an undersea communication cable outside Keelung Port in northern Taiwan was damaged, with a Chinese-flagged cargo ship suspected to be involved. On February 25, a Togolese-registered cargo ship with Chinese backing, suspected of damaging the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 cable, was the subject of scrutiny.

Wang Xiowen analyzed that previous cable damage incidents may have been intentionally caused by China to secure orders for Chinese cable manufacturers or as retaliation for democratic countries not using Huawei communications equipment. Especially concerning Taiwan, China’s “gray-zone warfare” involves using civilian vessels to cut Taiwan’s communication facilities, so if caught, they could claim it was accidentally done or potentially use civilian ships to deliberately provoke cross-strait conflicts, counting on Taiwan not daring to retaliate vigorously. She believes that China’s extensive promotion of its technology this time aims to influence the morale of the Taiwanese people.

Assistant Researcher Zhong Zhidong from the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies told Epoch Times that China had previously officially registered this cutting technology. The recent publicity surrounding it is purely for show to highlight the potential harm it could inflict on Taiwan. It represents the use of a gray zone conflict strategy to exert maximum pressure on Taiwan.

The Chinese cargo ship “Yi Peng 3,” suspected of damaging the Baltic Sea telecommunication cables, anchored in international waters in the Kattegat Strait between Denmark and Sweden for over a month at the end of last year. However, China eventually rejected Sweden’s prosecutor’s request to investigate the ship. On December 21, 2024, the “Yi Peng 3” departed from international waters between Denmark and Sweden.

According to the Financial Times, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated, “The government takes this matter very seriously. Surprisingly, the ship left before the prosecution could conduct an inspection and interrogate the crew according to Swedish criminal investigation procedures.”

Wang Xiowen stated that as similar incidents continue to occur, the international community is likely to propose regulations requiring China to comply or provide compensation.

Zhong Zhidong expressed that these submarine cable cutting devices can be installed not only on surface vessels but also concealed on underwater vehicles disguised as cargo ships or fishing boats, making it difficult to defend against. This highlights the evil nature of the Chinese regime, violating international rules akin to piracy.

However, he believes that China’s actions will backfire, as these undersea cables are not solely investments made by Taiwan but also involve cooperation with South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Should China sever Taiwan’s cables, it would not only harm Taiwan but also impact America, Japan, and South Korea. Ultimately, international condemnation of the Chinese regime will intensify.