China’s oceanographic survey and research ships are collecting data in the Indo-Pacific region — possibly to aid submarine navigation, detect or map undersea cables, and lay naval mines — activities that could have military applications in a conflict with Taiwan or the US, a New York Times report said.
The article, titled “China Surveys Seabeds Where Naval Rivals May One Day Clash,” was written by Chris Buckley and published on Thursday.
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,” it said.
Photo: screengrab from New York Time’s Webpage
Last year, six research ships made 25 passes in parallel lines through the waters off Taiwan’s east coast, the article said.
Chinese ships frequently navigated close to Taiwan’s 12 nautical mile (22km) territorial sea boundary, but never crossed it, meaning Taipei could do little to object, it added.
They also moved in parallel lines and grid formations, “precise patterns that experts said suggested a methodical effort to collect information about the seabed that could, among other things, support military operations,” it said.
The majority of China’s research ships are civilian, run by government agencies, universities and institutes, which allows them to attract less attention and scrutiny than naval vessels, the article said.
Under international law, civilian research ships are allowed to operate in international waters and within other countries’ exclusive economic zones with permission, it said.
However, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said that “it’s hard for us to view this situation as normal.”
“The potential military payoff from their research seemed clear,” the article said. “Taiwan’s eastern coast is home to key air and naval bases, and if war broke out, the Chinese navy would try to seize control of the nearby seas.”
Chinese military researchers in 2010 said that understanding the Kuroshio Current northeast of Taiwan would help China “better conceal ourselves and attack our enemies,” it added.
The article highlighted the extensive scope of China’s operations, with the Xiang Yang Hong No. 6 (向陽紅06) having surveyed the seabed surrounding Guam — a US territory that hosts US military forces — 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 use technologies such as sonar to map the contours and features of the seabed.
The article said that the voyages might serve various scientific purposes, including mineral exploration, marine biodiversity research and assessing the effects of climate change. However, “the growing research fleet could give Beijing a powerful advantage in maritime competition with the United States,” it added.
“China’s expanding maritime reach deserves close scrutiny, especially its ‘research’ vessels that map seabeds, deploy sensors and pave way for submarine operations” the article quoted former Australian naval officer Jennifer Parker as saying.
Despite growing concerns, such activities have continued, 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 operating in grid-like patterns east of Guam.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
RSS