China urged to protect underwater cables amid growing fears of ocean sabotage

Shanghai Maritime University law professor Guo Ran has recommended that China establish its own legislation to safeguard its underwater fiber-optic cables. This call comes amidst rising global concerns about the sabotage of vital ocean infrastructure. These undersea cables are crucial, transmitting approximately 99% of global intercontinental data and are particularly vulnerable in strategic locations like the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea. As a significant coastal nation and a major investor in the Digital Silk Road, China has a vested interest in protecting these cables, which form the physical foundation for global artificial intelligence.