I think presenting the situation like "China and the U.S. are fighting beneath the waves" sweeps under the rug how the preceding state of affairs—unchallenged U.S. dominance—was utilized by the U.S. to cut off countries like Cuba from the internet or finance with impunity, and makes it seem like China's challenge to this system is a scary departure from "peaceful normalcy" rather than the slow and difficult return of justice.
Just look at this map of undersea water cables to see how embargoes and sanctions designed to torture Cubans have led to silly and wasteful design decisions:
Just look at this map of undersea water cables to see how embargoes and sanctions designed to torture Cubans have led to silly and wasteful design decisions:
https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/images/news/2015/10/r...
(And yes, that single connected spot in Cuba is Guantanamo Bay.)