The action underscores Beijing’s strict control over communications infrastructure and its opposition to foreign satellite internet services operating without government approval. Starlink is entirely banned in China and does not hold a licence to provide services in the country. Officials maintain that any vessel entering Chinese territorial waters must comply with local laws, including shutting down unapproved satellite terminals.

China’s concerns stem from its tightly regulated telecom framework. Under existing laws, foreign companies are prohibited from offering basic telecom services, a category that includes satellite-based internet. All satellite communications within China are required to route data through government-approved domestic gateways, allowing state oversight of data flows. Starlink, by contrast, operates through overseas gateways, placing communications outside Chinese regulatory control.

Chinese authorities also point to the requirement for explicit government permission to use radio frequencies and related equipment. Starlink terminals, which operate without such authorisation, are therefore considered illegal within China’s jurisdiction.

Beyond regulatory issues, Beijing has raised strategic and military concerns. Starlink operates a vast constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites capable of providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity across the globe. Chinese researchers and defence analysts have warned that such networks could have dual-use applications, including military communications, surveillance support and resilience during conflicts.

A 2023 paper published by China’s National University of Defense Technology described Starlink as a “high-risk” system that could enhance US military capabilities. The study argued that large satellite constellations pose challenges in space, cyber and even nuclear security domains, prompting calls within China for countermeasures and alternative systems.

At the same time, China is accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on foreign space technology and challenge SpaceX’s dominance in the satellite internet and launch market. Starlink currently operates in more than 140 countries and recently secured a licence to operate in India. SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the world’s most frequently used reusable rocket, continues to deploy satellites at an unmatched pace.

In response, Chinese state-backed and private firms are investing heavily in reusable launch vehicles and satellite constellations. Private rocket company LandSpace recently tested its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket, part of a broader push to build indigenous alternatives. Although the test did not fully succeed, industry observers note that multiple Chinese companies are now racing to develop competitive launch systems.

Analysts say China’s firm stance on Starlink reflects a broader strategy to safeguard data sovereignty, limit foreign technological influence and build domestic capabilities in space-based communications.