China’s oceanographic survey and research ships are collecting data in the Indo-Pacific region, possibly to better navigate the area with submarines, detect undersea cables or lay undersea mines, a New York Times article published yesterday said.
The article was titled “China Surveys Seabeds Where Naval Rivals May One Day Clash.”
Starboard Maritime Intelligence data revealed that Chinese research ships last year repeatedly scanned the ocean floor east of Taiwan’s maritime border and about 400km east and west of Guam; “waters that China’s navy considers strategically vital,” the article said.
Photo: CNA
Last year, six research ships made 25 passes in parallel lines through the waters off Taiwan’s east coast, the article said.
Ships frequently navigated close to Taiwan’s 12 nautical mile (22km) territorial sea boundary, but never crossed it, leaving Taipei unable to protest, it added.
Moreover, they moved in parallel lines and grid formations, “precise patterns that experts said suggested a methodical effort to collect information about the seabed,” it said.
The majority of China’s research ships are civilian, run by government agencies, universities and institutes, which attract less attention and scrutiny than naval vessels, the article said.
Under international law, civilian research ships are able to navigate through international waters and other countries’ exclusive economic zones with permission, it said.
However, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said: “it’s hard for us to view this situation as normal.”
The article noted the alarming scale of China’s operations, with the Xiang Yang Hong No. 6 (向陽紅06) having surveyed the seabed surrounding Guam over an area larger than the UK.
“The tracks are so tightly packed, and all this was done in one year. Clearly, they were doing a bathymetric survey,” said Sen Jan (詹森), a professor of oceanography at National Taiwan University.
Bathymetric surveys map the seabed using technology such as sonar.
The article suggested alternative uses for the voyages, including mineral exploration, studying marine life and assessing the impact of climate change, though it added that “the growing research fleet could give Beijing a powerful advantage in maritime competition with the United States.”
These research activities only “pave the way for submarine operations,” said Jennifer Parker, a former Australian naval officer who is now an expert associate at the National Security College of Australian National University.
Chinese experts in 2010 said that understanding the Kuroshio Current northeast of Taiwan would help China “better conceal ourselves and attack our enemies,” the article added.
The suspicious activities continue, it said, adding that just last month, the Xiang Yang Hong No. 1 (向陽紅01) and Xiang Yang Hong No.5 (向陽紅五號05) were observed moving in grid-like patterns to the east of Guam.
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