#anticipate : China’s growing influence in the Pacific is 5,000 meters deep
Deep-sea mining is its latest battlefield
Editor’s Note: This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network and the environmental outlet Mongabay.
CNN and environmental news outlet Mongabay tracked eight Chinese research vessels that have undertaken deep-sea mining exploratory missions over the past five years. During that period, the ships spent only around 6% of their total open water time in areas reserved for exploration by Chinese companies, according to an analysis of data from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking and maritime intelligence provider, and the platform Deep Sea Mining Watch.
These particular vessels, along with at least five other deep-sea vessels that have previously carried out work in deep-sea mining exploration areas, display a consistent pattern of activity that points beyond purely civilian use.
Some have also shown behaviors suggesting attempts to avoid detection, including hundreds of instances of “going dark” by disabling the mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS), a vessel’s self-reporting system that broadcasts its identity and position.
The majority are tied to state-affiliated entities with links to the Chinese navy and regularly call at its military-connected ports.
