China is not only constructing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on land passing through the India’s J&K which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan but is also constructing a secret underwater observation system in the disputed East and South China Sea, which may have far reaching consequences.
The $400 million project has already sparked concerns that it could be used to detect the movement of foreign ships and feed information back to China. While building the system may take some time, its intention needs to be analysed on the security environment.
The area is disputed and the smaller nations who are contesting the claims of China are trying to have a common Code of Conduct (CoC) so that there may not be any untoward incident leading to a conflict. China as usual is using its economic and military power to cow down the disputants.
It is also using diplomacy to keep the disputant under the impression that China is sincere in drafting the CoC. However, it is stealthily and slowly strengthening its presence and capability to oust other countries from the area.
China itself has stated that the network, which will be built in the East China Sea and South China Sea, will “conduct around-the-clock, real-time, high-definition, multiple interface, and three-dimensional observations.” The experts assess that the system would be like a spy hub undersea.
A noted analyst Carl Thayer has said that China in all probability would place sensors underwater to detect the movement of warships and submarines of other countries. Thus this move has two-fold objective- first to strengthen its oceanic claims and second to enhance its surveillance system to take steps whenever it desires against the ships of other countries.
This move comes soon after China has constructed seven artificial islands and militarised them. The Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has analysed the recent satellite photographs, which revealed runways, aircraft hangers, radar sites and hardened surface-to-air missile shelters on three features- Subi, Mischief and Fiery Cross reefs.
These are part of the Spratly chain, which is claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. China has also placed at some of the places “surface to air” missiles. Thus China’s game plan is to place itself in an advantageous position by establishing its military assets in the area both on the islands and underwater.
For India, this has a serious implication. Besides the South China Sea which remains an important region for our sea based trade, the China has acquired rights in the Gwadar port and it can place a similar system in the Indian Ocean along with its all-weather friend. This would allow China-Pakistan combine a greater surveillance and reconnaissance capability which will have a potential negative effect on combat operations during wars.
During peacetime too they would have the capability to have a watch on the movement of our ships going to Iranian port and other places. The Chinese move demands that India takes suitable timely measures in the Indian Ocean to protect our interests.
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