US advisory panel warns China is gaining in undersea warfare

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Xinmei ShenMarch 3, 2026 at 12:13 AM

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A US congressional advisory panel, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), warned on Monday that China is rapidly advancing its maritime capabilities, particularly in undersea warfare. The USCC urged the Pentagon to maintain its undersea superiority amid growing US-China strategic competition. During a hearing, commissioners and witnesses highlighted China's investments in submarines, undersea cables, and sea-floor mining, which could erode the US lead. The USCC, established by Congress in 2000, advises lawmakers on the national security implications of the US-China trade relationship. The hearing featured testimony from the US Navy and think tank experts, focusing on China's narrowing gap with the US in undersea capabilities.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

US Navy 40% Pentagon 50% Randall Schriver 60% Congress ×260% US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) ×380% United States ×790% China ×690%

Keywords

undersea warfare 100% us-china relations 90% maritime capabilities 80% strategic competition 70% uscc 60% national security 50% undersea cables 40% sea-floor mining 40%