China/South China Sea: South China Sea Surveys Pressure Claimants, Mine Info with Military Use

Jun 23, 2020 | Drake Long, BenarNews
View Original

Beijing has increased the tempo of its deep sea surveys in the South China Sea, worrying claimant states and other nations. Experts say the mapping of the sea floor is a pressure tactic that could help China’s Navy monitor submarine traffic in the disputed waters. China has the world’s largest fleet of research and survey ships. This year alone, Radio Free Asia (RFA) and BenarNews, its affiliated service, have detected Chinese surveys off the coasts of Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. India is also reportedly concerned about what China portrays as benign research activity, after a Chinese survey ship operated late last year in the Eastern Indian Ocean.