China’s Ministry of State Security has revealed that certain countries are exploiting global undersea cable networks to conduct espionage activities, posing significant risks to international communications and data security.
According to an article published by the ministry on Friday, undersea cables—a critical infrastructure facilitating 99 percent of global intercontinental communication and data transmission—have been infiltrated by foreign entities aiming to advance their geopolitical agendas.
This disclosure follows earlier revelations by former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who unveiled the existence of the “Upstream” program. In this program, it is alleged that the U.S. National Security Agency conducts large-scale surveillance on global submarine cables alongside its “Prism” initiative.
In an era of rapid digitalization and networking advancements, undersea cables play an indispensable role in connecting nations across oceans and providing essential communication services worldwide, including to remote regions. The ministry emphasized the fundamental importance of securing these cables within the global communication network system.
China has made significant strides in the submarine cable industry, developing a comprehensive industrial chain encompassing production, surveying, construction, and maintenance. Despite facing high technological barriers and construction challenges, China has become a key player in the global undersea cable network.
However, the ministry noted that some countries frequently impose sanctions on Chinese companies under the pretext of national security, aiming to hinder the development of related industries in China.
The Ministry of State Security affirmed its commitment to upholding national security strategies and vowed to vigilantly defend against and legally counteract any infiltration, sabotage, or espionage activities targeting China’s underwater critical infrastructure and transnational data flows.
Reference(s):
Authorities: Undersea cables used by certain countries to spy on China
cgtn.com
