Chinese deep-water station

FACTA

China plans to construct a deep-water station in the South China Sea. The presence of valuable natural resources like methane hydrates, cobalt, and nickel intensifies interest in these contested waters. This represents a strategic shift not only due to the extraction of natural resources but also the location and strengthening position in the South China Sea – a strategically important territory for China. The base will be anchored two kilometres below the surface and designed for six persons. The project is led by the China National Space Administration and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which signals a convergence of space and maritime infrastructure, representing a strategic and technological leap. Equipped with sophisticated unmanned submersibles, real-time surveillance systems, and advanced communications infrastructure that links to China's satellite network, it underscores a blending of deep-water and space-based capabilities. Scheduled for completion by 2030, the facility will be among the deepest and most advanced underwater installations ever constructed.

FUTURA

China's control over undersea fibre-optic networks and resource-rich seabed could shift economic and strategic power dynamics, particularly in critical energy supply chains. This initiative might also accelerate global competition in deep-sea infrastructure, spurring geopolitical competitors of China to develop their own submerged facilities. The station could also set a precedent for militarized deep-sea bases, leading to a possible new arms race beneath the ocean. Furthermore, the fusion of deep-sea and space research could unlock new frontiers in areas such as climate science or biotechnology, ultimately shaping the next era of scientific discovery.