 |
| China's Haiyan autonomous UUV |
VietNamNet Bridge - China is taking advantage of the power of science and technology to strengthen its claims of "sovereignty extortion" in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).
The dual use of sci-tech projects on the one hand helps Beijing confirm the rising power of a maritime power, and on the other hand ensures control of the army in disputed waters.
China’s announcement of the construction of a manned deep-sea platform in the East Sea, which would be located as much as 3,000 meters below sea level, is the latest example to prove the assessment. Currently, the details of this project have not been disclosed yet.
This is an ambitious project. Besides the search for mineral purposes, the laboratory may be used for military purposes such as tracking submarines or establishing military communications channels.
The deep-sea technology is usually used for both civil and military purposes. In addition to being used for scientific research, the submarine communication systems or seabed sensors play an important role in national security. During peacetime, they are used to track foreign submarines or warships. In wartime, they play the role of connecting information systems, improving the system of command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance ...
 |
| China's Qianlong No2 autonomous UUV |
The field of research and development, especially projects related to the sea, is now China’s focus of investment. The current scientific and technological level, as well as abundant funds, help China pursue different approaches to create their advantage in the maritime sovereignty disputes. Beijing spent about $216 billion in research and development in 2015 while the defense budget was about $145 billion.
The new technology in underwater archeology helps China in the search for or exploration of antiques under the sea. The artifacts "found" in the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago will be used by China as proof of sovereignty.
Some other notable projects include the Jiaolong submarine that reached a record depth of more than 7,000 meters under the sea in 2012. This submarine can be used for different purposes, such as detecting torpedoes, seabed mapping with high precision, reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, biomass collection...
Read the full story at VietnamNet