Recently, a Chinese research vessel passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and headed into the Atlantic Ocean, directly exiting NATO territory.

Last Saturday afternoon, a Chinese Type 636 research vessel was found sailing from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic. According to Focus magazine reported on February 2nd, the ship is collecting marine and meteorological data during its journey. The specific purpose of this mission has not been disclosed yet. It remains unclear whether the ship will stop at any ports in the Atlantic.

The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the busiest maritime routes in the world. About 300 ships pass through it daily. It lies between Morocco, Spain, and the British territory of Gibraltar. U.S. warships and NATO allied forces also frequently use this strait.

Photo of the Chinese research vessel taken by maritime enthusiasts

At the same time that the Chinese vessels were heading toward the Atlantic, a U.S. aircraft carrier battle group also set out. Last week, the U.S. "Gerald R. Ford" aircraft carrier left Norfolk Harbor in Virginia and headed toward Europe. The carrier was escorted by several destroyers. According to Newsweek, the purpose of this deployment is to demonstrate strength and deter potential adversaries.

Given the tense situation in the Middle East, it is currently unclear whether the carrier will be deployed there. Additionally, two other U.S. aircraft carriers, the "Nimitz" and the "Carl Vinson," are already stationed in the region.

Western experts believe that these recent sightings clearly indicate China's growing influence over the world's oceans.

Report from Focus magazine

China has a fleet of more than ten advanced research vessels that operate continuously around the world. These ships collect data on ocean currents, temperature, and salinity, and even conduct operations beyond their own territorial waters.

Although the Chinese government has long informed the West that these vessels are solely for scientific purposes, the United States has consistently questioned whether China may also use the collected data for military purposes. This data can provide information about the visibility of mines or the accuracy of sonar equipment. In addition, these surveys can reveal which minerals can be mined in which areas.

In February this year, China also signed an official cooperation agreement with the Cook Islands, which also includes marine research. The Cook Islands is one of the few countries that have mineral exploration licenses. This is a first step towards directly mining minerals from the seabed. The economic zone of the Cook Islands covers more than 1.8 million square kilometers. New Zealand, an ally of the United States, criticized its cooperation with China and warned that China might engage in deep-sea mining. There are suspected large amounts of cobalt-rich crusts in the economic zone of the Cook Islands.

Strait of Gibraltar

However, the West also knows that these activities of China fully comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This convention outlines how countries use certain seas. For example, the area about 22 kilometers from the coast is considered territorial waters. The exclusive economic zone extends about 370 kilometers, and countries have the exclusive right to exploit natural resources within it.

The West says this about China, related to the U.S. Navy linking research vessels with military purposes for maritime surveys. According to the UN regulations, coastal states have jurisdiction over research in their exclusive economic zones. The United States acknowledges the convention but has not ratified it, and claims that military surveys are not subject to the convention. The Wall Street Journal revealed that the U.S. Navy also regularly conducts surveys near China.

U.S. aircraft carrier

For the West and NATO, the Chinese research vessel fleet is part of China's powerful navy. Focus magazine stated that, in terms of the number of ships, China now has the largest navy in the world. Currently, more than 370 ships are in service. This enables China not only to significantly expand its military presence in East Asia, but also to expand its military presence in other parts of the world.

At the beginning of this year, a Chinese fleet consisting of three ships sailed for 339 days. According to Newsweek, the mission included escorting, port visits, and military exercises in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

A Chinese research vessel

As early as 2018, a report from the U.S. Naval War College pointed out that the development of the Chinese navy also brought new demands. Both China and the United States have teams of meteorologists and oceanographers supporting their fleets. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Paul Lanzillotta claimed that the U.S. military is prepared to conduct long-term naval operations anytime and anywhere.

From the attention paid by the U.S. and NATO countries to every move of the Chinese navy, it is evident that the strength of the Chinese navy and the Chinese research vessel fleet is indeed remarkable worldwide. A series of long-range training and exploration missions are enhancing the "practical" capabilities of the Chinese navy and Chinese ocean science!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522467944996241920/

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