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Trans-Pacific Cable Plans Mired In US-China Geopolitical Rivalry

Posted by timothy on from the because-huawei-doesn't-respect-privacy dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Attempts to build a new telecommunications cable between the US, New Zealand and Australia have become a nexus for the growing rivalry between the U.S. and China in the Pacific. The U.S. is reportedly creating a technology ring fence to match its military one and contain China's ambitions in the Pacific. The U.S. military could even help pay for any planned new cable to link its bases in American Samoa with its expanding military presence in Australia's Northern Territory. It has been made 'very clear' U.S. authorities would not allow significant Chinese investment in one cable project and it followed that they would not tolerate the use of Chinese gear in its construction. 'It was made very clear. These are cables connecting whole countries. These are very political things,' one insider said."

8 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. NSA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Of course they need to lay NSA tapped cables.

    1. Re:NSA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Makes one wonder if China's backdoors might conflict with the NSA installed backdoors.

  2. toleration violation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    would not tolerate the use of Chinese gear in its construction.

    Given the USAs recent activities, maybe the use of USA companies and gear should also not be tolerated.

  3. Giving the example to the world by gmuslera · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Now if the rest of the world have a hint, they just need to use their own words

    It has been made 'very clear' (some country) authorities would not allow significant U.S. investment in one cable project and it followed that they would not tolerate the use of U.S. gear in its construction. 'It was made very clear. These are cables connecting whole countries. These are very political things,' one insider said."

    Brazil is already doing something of this, and more countries should follow.

  4. Of course! by Jmc23 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The USA wants only their taps and backdoors working on those cables!

    --
    Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
  5. Re:Easy answer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If they actually hold true to their word is open for debate, but China also tried to push for a "no first strike" agreement but no one would sign on.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_first_use
    "China undertakes not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones at any time or under any circumstances."

    I like the nato reponse :"preemptive nuclear strike is a key option"
    So you run around telling the world you will use them only in defense AND wont sign a NFU as it "limits options" such as enless threats of using them?

  6. Re:FP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    Which is a meaningless statement for many reason. It's not like China is our poor mother who lends us a few billion every time we get into trouble. "Debt" on a national scale doesn't work that way, and US debt levels are not out of the ordinary.

    Nobody understands debt.

  7. Then let the countries decide by argStyopa · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Who do you prefer listening into your communications? The US or China?

    Given the inherent malignity of state entities, which is the least-worst?

    --
    -Styopa