Digital Silk Road
artifactNations & Geopolitics · Darknet & Cyber
China isn't just selling gadgets abroad — it's exporting the plumbing of the internet so data flows through systems its government can access.
Who they are
The Digital Silk Road, China's tech-export program.
What they do
The engine treats it as a way to spread Chinese-controlled technology infrastructure worldwide.
How it works
It exports Huawei 5G, BeiDou satellite navigation (a GPS alternative), and the PEACE undersea cable running China-Pakistan-Djibouti-Marseille, while the 'China Standards 2035' plan tries to set the world's next-generation tech rules — routing data through systems that comply with Chinese state security.
Why it matters
Whoever builds the world's tech backbone shapes where data flows and who can see it, giving China long-term leverage far beyond selling products.
The engine's record — word for word
Exports Huawei 5G, BeiDou satellite navigation (GPS alternative), PEACE submarine cable (China-Pakistan-Djibouti-Marseille). China Standards 2035 initiative sets next-gen tech standards globally. Data flows route through Chinese state security-compliant architectures.
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