July 28th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference.
A reporter from The New York Times asked that it is reported that the US is very concerned about the possibility of China deploying more submarine cables, specifically in the Pacific Ocean region between the Americas and Asia. Does China have such plans?
Lin Jian stated that international submarine cables are important international civil infrastructure, which is crucial for the interconnection of global networks and the well-being of people around the world. Politicizing and over-managing issues related to submarine cables will only disrupt normal international market rules, threaten the interconnection of global data and network security, and does not serve the interests of any party.
Lin Jian emphasized that China has always supported international cooperation in maritime cables under the principles of fairness, justice, equality, and inclusiveness. China is willing to work with the international community to actively promote the construction and protection of global information infrastructure such as submarine cables.
Previously, the US has repeatedly imposed restrictions on China’s submarine cable industry under the pretext of so-called “national security”.
The US Federal Communications Commission prohibited the use of equipment or services provided by companies listed as posing a threat to national security last year, including some well-known Chinese companies.
In June of this year, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission decided to tighten regulations on undersea communication cables. Reuters said that this will impose stricter restrictions on Chinese companies, while American companies are expected to benefit from more efficient approval processes.
