European allies in the Baltic region are investigating how two fiber-optic data cables were severed earlier this week, with suspicion falling on a Chinese vessel in the area. Germany has said the incident was clearly sabotage.

  • corroded@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    This makes me wonder why the point of this was. What does China gain by severing a communications cable? Traffic is just going to be re-routed over other links, so all they’re really doing is marginally slowing down internet connectivity in the region.

    Is this just a way to send a message that they’re willing do damage communication infrastructure?

    • dlatch@lemmy.world
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      10 hours ago

      To show they can. It’s a signal to Europe that they know where our infrastructure is and that they can get to it.

    • gcheliotis@lemmy.world
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      10 hours ago

      It’s weird. But I also remember how many were quick to point to Russia for blowing up a pipeline and much later it turned out Russia had nothing to do with it.

    • whithom
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      11 hours ago

      Preventing its increasing dissent by cutting off access to the outside world and painting a picture of china how they want its people to see.