China is aggressively modernizing and expanding its submarine force, projected to reach 80 submarines by 2035, with a significant shift towards more capable nuclear-powered models. This expansion is complemented by the development of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and a network of seabed sensors, creating a layered anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capability.
The ocean floor hosts the backbone of the global economy, with 99% of intercontinental data and trillions in daily financial transactions flowing through a network of ~600 fiber-optic cables. China has developed capabilities to threaten this infrastructure and is also pursuing dominance in seabed mining for critical minerals.
China explicitly blends its commercial, research, and military activities at sea through its 'military-civil fusion' strategy. Ostensibly civilian oceanographic research vessels and fishing fleets are integrated into military efforts, collecting data that directly supports submarine warfare and surveillance.
The hearing frames Taiwan as the 'island at the center of the world' due to its near-monopoly on foundational and advanced semiconductor production. President Xi's directive for the PLA to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027 makes the surrounding undersea domain a primary theater for any potential conflict.
The U.S. is relying on its network of allies and technological superiority to maintain its undersea edge. Initiatives like AUKUS aim to create 'interchangeable' allied forces, while investments in AI/ML, quantum computing, and advanced UUVs are intended to offset China's quantitative growth.
Keep pulling the thread on United States.