A Chinese research vessel reportedly ignored Philippine Coast Guard attempts to contact it while operating near an undersea cable in September. The ship broadcast what was described as a false identification and maneuvered to evade the authorities, according to reports cited by Nikkei Asia.
the Philippines dispatched its largest coast guard vessel in response. It was spotted 37 nautical miles from Batanes, a Philippine province that China also claims. A Chinese coast guard ship entered the incident as well, and Beijing later accused the Philippines of harassment, according to the South China Morning Post.
The episode is among several reports of Chinese research vessels spending time near undersea infrastructure. A study by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies found that Chinese research ships loitered near cables more than vessels from any other country. The report said the activity was disproportionate, but its purpose remains unclear.
There are no confirmed reports of China attacking undersea cables. However, a 2025 U.S. congressional report said China was developing cable-cutting techniques and noted that Chinese researchers had publicly described electric cutting devices capable of severing armored cables at depths of up to 13,000 feet.
Ryan Claffey, a research assistant at the Center for a New American Security, has called for a coordinated response. In a report, he described subsea cables as “digital lifelines” and argued that the United States and its allies should protect them in peacetime to maintain connectivity during a crisis.
Sources: Tom's Hardware.