US Advisory Panel Warns China's Undersea Warfare Gains

US Advisory Panel Warns China's Undersea Warfare Gains

A key US congressional advisory panel issued a warning about China’s rapidly advancing maritime capabilities and urged the Pentagon to maintain its undersea ‘superiority’ as China expands submarines, unmanned systems, and seabed ambitions. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission highlighted growing friction in US-China relations ahead of an upcoming summit next month.

‘We must ensure this domain remains a source of strength and deterrence, not vulnerability,’ said Randall Schriver, chair of the USCC. While the US retains significant maritime advantages, these could be eroded as competition with China intensifies, he added.

The commission is an independent panel established by Congress in 2000 to advise lawmakers on the national security implications of US-China trade and economic relationships. Witnesses from the US Navy and Washington-based think tanks discussed China’s narrowing gap with the US in undersea capabilities during a hearing.