미중 전략경쟁과 해저케이블: 디지털 블록화와 안보갈등

Abstract

Submarine cables, essential global communications infrastructure, have emerged as a new arena for US-China competition. The Splinternet caused by national and corporate internet barriers has developed into a splinting of internet infrastructure between the US and China. Against this backdrop, this article examines the impact of the US-China strategic competition surrounding submarine cables on the international order in terms of digital blocking and security conflict. First, we examine the international regime and governance of submarine cables, which are global public facilities. Next, we explain digital blocking through China’s Digital Silk Road policy and the US’ Clean Network program, and examine the policy status of submarine cables from the angle of technology standard competition. Furthermore, we analyze cases of US-China conflicts over submarine cables from the viewpoint of data security. Through this, we reflect on the international political nature of submarine cables from the perspective of the triple linkage of economy-security-technology, and find implications for the international political economic order of the new security dilemma implied by the division of submarine cables. Finally, we seek alternatives to enhance the sustainability of submarine cables.