BEIJING - Chinese companies have emerged as key players in global submarine cable equipment manufacturing, construction, and maintenance after years of development, a report said on Tuesday.

Titled "Report on China's Participation in the Construction and Protection of International Communication Submarine Cables", the document was published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

The involvement of Chinese enterprises has effectively reduced the cost of network access, ensured smooth global connectivity, and accelerated the growth of the digital economy, the report said.