Thematic Report: Emerging Issues Concerning Submarine Cables and Implications for the South China Sea

Submarine fiber optic cables are essential tools for transmitting information in the modern world. The vast majority of intercontinental data traffic, which can reach up to 99%, is transmitted through submarine cables. As of June 2023, there are 485 operational submarine cable routes worldwide, with 70 more planned, connecting all continents except Antarctica. The Asia-Pacific region is densely covered by submarine cables due to the high demand for data transmission and geographical features (numerous islands and peninsulas). According to data from the Submarine Cable Map, the area in the middle of the South China Sea (from Hainan to the Spratlys/southeastern continental shelf of Vietnam) has 10 submarine cable systems passing through, with an additional five under construction and expected to become operational in the coming years. Vietnam is currently connected to the international network through five submarine cables, all crossing the South China Sea.

Submarine cables are greatly important yet also highly vulnerable. Some of the threats to submarine cables include (i) human economic activities, including fishing and ship anchoring (the leading causes of submarine cable damage);(ii) natural factors such as earthquakes or landslides; (iii) human sabotage, including illicit information tapping or cyberattacks, etc. From a broader perspective, submarine cables are linked to national security risks, including sovereignty - sovereign rights, information security, cyber security and economic independence. South China Sea disputes and great power economic rivalry can all enhance these risks.

The South China Sea (East Sea) Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in 2023 conducted the report titled “Emerging Issues Concerning Submarine Cables and Implications for the South China Sea” in order to get a comprehensive understanding of this matter, utilizing several research methods, such as multi-source information collection (including interviews with experts from APTelecom, the University of Singapore, and the Korean Association of International Studies KAIS), policy analysis and policy comparison. The report focuses on the following questions: (i) What current international laws and regulations govern submarine cables? (ii) What is the status of submarine cables in the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific? (iii) What are the impacts of South China Sea disputes and great power rivalry on submarine cables? (iv) What advantages and challenges does Vietnam face amid these developments and how to move forward?

Read the full Report here