China is undertaking an expansive effort to strengthen its position across global oceans through underwater mapping and surveillance, driven by strategic military interests and the search for critical seabed resources. Beijing has deployed a broad network of activities spanning the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic oceans, collecting detailed information on seabed conditions, terrain, and oceanographic patterns.
This data provides significant advantage for future maritime conflicts, particularly in submarine operations and undersea warfare, enhancing China's ability to operate submarines and detect adversary vessels. Much of this activity, often conducted by civilian research vessels like the Dong Fang Hong 3, attracts less international scrutiny. China's maritime ambitions also include securing access to strategic minerals such as cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements, essential for advanced technology and defense. Investigations show Chinese vessels engaging in mineral exploration, often outside authorized zones and with disabled AIS, reflecting China's civil-military fusion strategy. China holds five of 31 exploration contracts from the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Latin America, particularly Argentina's continental shelf, faces potential unauthorized exploration. These dual-use activities raise legal and sovereign concerns, laying groundwork for future geopolitical and military competition.
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