Key facts
- China holds 80% of the world's underwater data centre patents, according to a two-decade study of global patents.
- The study describes China moving from an early follower to the dominant force in subsea data technologies.
- The report says China holds competitive edges in engineering-oriented technologies such as modular construction and in situ work.
China holds 80% of the world's underwater data centre patents, according to a two-decade study of global patents in the field reported on November 14, 2026. The findings describe a shift away from the West in the race to build future green computing infrastructure, with China moving from an early follower to the dominant force in subsea data technologies.
The report quotes a statement that China holds competitive edges in engineering-oriented technologies such as modular construction and in situ work. The body does not name the authors of the study or the outlet that published it.