Nation allays fears over potential international data breaches

China has stressed that its submarine cable enterprises have consistently maintained a strong record in network security and will not access any data transmitted through the international communication infrastructure, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The report, published by the Industry and Planning Research Institute under the China Academy of Information and Communication Technology, comes amid growing concerns from the United States about the security of global telecommunications infrastructure, including undersea cables.

Submarine cables, made of optical fibers and laid on the seabed, carry about 99 percent of global data traffic. While China entered the sector later than some countries, the report highlights its rapid development of a comprehensive industrial chain covering production, construction, operation and maintenance.

Chinese enterprises have developed key components, such as repeaters and branching units, with pressure and corrosion resistance that can ensure operation for up to 25 years at depths of 8,000 meters, the report says. A major milestone cited was the development of the industry's first 32-fiber pair submarine cable system, designed to meet the increasing demand for international bandwidth.

Chinese submarine cable manufacturers and system integrators adhere to neutral and open technology solutions and do not consider surveillance technologies a future direction, the report says. Companies comply with the international "Open Cable" standard, allowing submarine cable systems built by Chinese enterprises to be compatible with terminal transmission equipment from other countries, including the US and France.

China's HMN Technologies Co has built more than 100,000 kilometers of submarine cable systems worldwide, taking on over 140 projects in more than 70 countries and regions, the report says.

After completing a submarine cable project, Chinese enterprises deliver the equipment and network management systems to operators for management and operation and do not access any transmitted data, the report adds. It also stresses that data security is ensured through encryption technology, enhanced detection measures and improved physical protection.

China has strengthened legal frameworks to safeguard submarine cables, defining responsibilities and improving enforcement to protect the infrastructure. The International Cable Protection Committee estimates that about 200 submarine cable failures occur annually, with over 80 percent caused by anchoring, fishing and other human activities.

The report follows heightened scrutiny from the US, where officials have raised concerns over potential security risks associated with undersea cables. In October, a bipartisan group of senators urged then US president Joe Biden to review the security of global undersea communication infrastructure, citing possible threats from China and Russia. In September, reports emerged that the US was encouraging Vietnam to avoid partnerships with Chinese firms for new undersea cable projects.

China, which sees submarine cables as a key pillar for building a "community with a shared future in cyberspace", said its enterprises have provided cost-effective alternatives that accelerate global infrastructure deployment and reduce internet access costs for developing nations. The report urges governments and international organizations to strengthen cooperation in submarine cable construction and protection to improve global network services and digital products.

The Chinese government and its submarine cable enterprises will continue working with the international community to expand global communication infrastructure, ensure security and contribute to technological development, the report says.