BEIJING – China in an unprecedented move is building a state of the artunder water great wall for its maritime defence in the South China Sea.
The reports have surfaced that China is building an ‘Underwater Great Wall’in the South China Sea in a bid to gain substantial undersea warfareadvantage in the region. If reports are to be believed, PLA is laying anetwork of ships and subsurface sensors in the South China Sea.
Apart from the undersea warfare advantage that China claims it is eyeing,its move will also help the PLA in spying the movement of foreign ships inthe disputed region ensuring better monitoring of submarine activities.
According to latest inputs, China has also completed Hainan Power Gridinter connection projects with the laying of submarine cable in an areaclose to the Hainan Province in the South China Sea. The submarine cablepasses through Qiongzhou Strait of Nanlung in Guandong Province and LinshiIsland in Hainan Province.
China does not seem to be taking any chances with regard to its latest movein the disputed region. The authorities have reportedly cautioned PLAmarines against dropping of anchors and dragging while passing through thearea. They have also been asked to maintain a speed less than 10 knots.
A circular has been issued concerning the same. Apart from thesedirectives, the marines have been asked not to take photographs whilecrossing through Qiongzhou Strait.
China South Sea Fleet is located in Guangdong province which faces HainanIsland where China Submarine fleet is also located. This could be seen asyet another attempt by China to reinforce its internal water claim to theHainan Strait, which the US claims as international water.
The Hainan Strait has been closed for all foreign military vessels whilenon-foreign vessels are required to obtain permission 48 hours beforeentering the Strait. They have also been prohibited from using radars andshould seek prior permission from Chinese authority in case radars have tobe used because of poor visiblity. A detailed report on use of radar has tobe submitted later on.
Notably, United States has carried out various missions in South China Seato check Chinese military moves into this region. The risk of amiscalculation and armed conflict have risen in the disputed South ChinaSea with a militarily stronger China now able to challenge the US.