Underwater cables are like the invisible highways of the internet. They stretch across oceans, carrying almost 95% of global communication, including phone calls, emails, and even electricity for some countries. Without them, the internet would barely function. These vital cables connect countries around the world, making them crucial for communication, business, and national security. But now, a patent application by a Chinese university has raised concerns about the safety of these underwater lifelines.
A Controversial Invention from Coastal China
In 2020, engineers from Lishui University, a coastal institution in Zhejiang province, China, applied for a patent for a machine called the “Dragging Type Submarine Cable Cutting Device.” The device, as described in their patent documents, was designed to cut underwater cables quickly and at a low cost. According to the engineers, traditional methods of cutting these cables involved complicated processes, such as locating, digging, and salvaging the cables before cutting them. Their device was meant to make the task faster and cheaper, particularly for “emergency situations.”
This wasn’t the first time a patent for an undersea cable-cutting device was submitted in China. More than a decade ago, marine engineers from the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) designed a similar tool called the “Ocean Towing Type Cutting Device.” The SOA’s patent application described its purpose as destroying illegal cables near China. Both the Lishui University and SOA patent applications were ultimately turned down or retracted, though no reasons were provided for these decisions.
Cables Under Threat
The existence of such patents has raised alarms globally. Submarine cables are already under threat from deliberate damage, as seen in recent incidents. For example, earlier this month, the Trans-Pacific Express Cable System, which connects Taiwan to the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and China, was damaged by a Chinese cargo ship called Shunxing39. This was not an isolated event—there have been growing reports of undersea cables being cut in international waters, often involving ships with unclear ownership and registration.
Undersea cables are critical for countries like Taiwan, an island that relies heavily on these cables to stay connected with the rest of the world. Any damage to these cables could disrupt internet services, data transfers, and even affect financial systems. Experts have pointed out that damaging these cables is not only harmful but can also have widespread effects on other countries, creating chaos far beyond the point of damage.
Concerns Over China’s Intentions
The patent applications by Chinese engineers have caused international experts to worry about the potential misuse of such technology. Although the engineers claimed that their device was meant for emergencies, critics argue that the invention could easily be used to sabotage undersea cables for strategic reasons.
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Some experts have pointed out that developing such tools aligns with suspicions about China’s interest in undersea warfare. If these devices were ever put to use, they could disrupt internet communication and even harm a country’s power grid, given that some undersea cables carry electricity. While there is no direct proof of China deploying these devices, the applications themselves have added to concerns about Beijing’s ambitions in international waters.
One Norwegian expert has criticized the design of these devices, saying they could cause random damage to other useful cables nearby. This lack of precision could create widespread and unintended disruptions, making the tools even more dangerous.
Global Implications
As the world depends more and more on undersea cables, incidents like these bring to light the vulnerabilities of such critical infrastructure. Protecting these cables has become a growing challenge, especially since much of the damage occurs in international waters where enforcement is difficult. While some nations are working on solutions like naval drones to monitor and protect these cables, such systems are far from ready.
The mere fact that patents for cable-cutting devices exist raises uncomfortable questions. While they may have been developed for practical purposes, their potential for misuse in conflicts or disputes cannot be ignored. For now, the safety of the undersea cables that connect our world remains a concern for countries and experts alike.
