Beijing deploys sensors in South China Sea to boost scientific data in disputed waters
The eight domestically produced floating sensors are part of a global observation project involving over 30 countries
China has deployed its first batch of eight home-produced floating sensors in the South China Sea as part of an international observation network, which analysts say will boost the nation’s scientific knowledge about the disputed waters.
By early next year, Beijing plans to be operating a total of 20 South China Sea sensors, which will enable both civilian and military users to monitor the marine environment up to a depth of 2km using China’s own satellite system, the project’s leading scientist said.
All of China’s sensors, including the eight it deployed in September, form part of Argo, a global observation project involving more than 30 different countries, which are managing more than 3,800 real-time sensors dotted across the world’s oceans. The information is shared by all countries involved in the project.
The cylindrical sensors, which are about 2 metres tall and weigh up to 30kg, usually drift at about 1km below the surface, but regularly dive to a deeper depth and then rise to the surface – all the while recording ocean data, such as sea temperatures, salinity, oxygen concentrations and currents, for marine and climate research.