China’s Covert Tech Strategies: Undersea Cables, TikTok, and Global Influence

Quick Summary:

• experts caution against China’s growing control over global telecommunications infrastructure, including undersea cables and data centers.
• Salih Hudayar, Foreign Minister for the East Turkestan government-in-exile, describes China’s strategy as an “data war” targeting democracy and Western security.
• Chinese state-linked firms are increasingly building critical undersea cables, essential for internet connectivity worldwide, raising concerns about potential misuse of sensitive data.
• China is rapidly constructing AI-powered data centers in East Turkestan using Western-manufactured chips despite export restrictions.
• TikTok is identified as a major surveillance tool gathering user data for Beijing to compile dossiers that could be used for blackmail and political influence in the West.
• Hudayar advocates notable investment by the West to develop self-reliant tech infrastructure and counter China’s digital dominance.

Image Caption: China’s silent war on West: Undersea cables,TikTok,and technological takeover
!China’s silent war on West

Indian Opinion Analysis:

China’s expanded involvement in critical telecommunications systems highlights challenges with safeguarding sensitive global communication channels. While the immediate focus lies on Western security risks tied to surveillance platforms like TikTok or AI-powered projects in regions such as East Turkestan, India’s perspective necessitates a broader evaluation of similar vulnerabilities within its domestic frameworks.For India-a country actively pursuing technological self-reliance-this underscores the urgency of securing its own infrastructure from external influence while staying prepared against emerging digital threats.

India must also consider fostering homegrown capabilities like secure undersea cable initiatives and robust oversight mechanisms for foreign tech operations within its borders.As TikTok once raised concerns domestically before its ban in India due to privacy issues tied to ByteDance’s Chinese affiliations, such developments validate proactive measures taken earlier. Strengthened regulatory frameworks could bolster India’s resilience amidst global shifts where technology intersects with geopolitical tensions.

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