China’s Ministry of Natural Resources is in the process of launching a new surveillance drone to complement its satellite surveillance system, which is already in place. China continues to claim dominance over the waters with plans of additional investments in satellite coverage over the next several years. Hainan, Beijing’s new satellite constellation, will soon have 10 satellites with optical and radar packages to focus meticulously on the region.
It also emerged this week, during an international meeting between delegates from countries competing in the South China Sea, that Chinese officials successfully removed references to the region in a resolution promoting freedom of navigation.
The document was changed at the last minute during the summit in Canberra, Australia, signifying China’s determination to gain complete control over contested waters, the Sunday Morning Herald reports.
Japanese officials had proposed in a first draft of the resolution that freedom of navigation provided nations with crucial access to shipping, also arguing that airspace should remain open.
The document recognised the benefits of “a sea of peace, stability and prosperity” and expressed concerns about “land reclamations, activities and serious incidents in the South China Sea, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security stability in the region”.
The version of the resolution that was finally agreed upon by all parties made no mention of the South China Sea.
One expert described the Chinese demand as “disturbing”, and highlighted that other nation’s compromise to Beijing’s demands sets a worrying precedent.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence program director Michael Shoebridge said: “The gathering of some 350 parliamentarians from across the Asia Pacific at this parliamentary forum should be an opportunity for this international gathering to stand up for international law and oppose those who, through their acts, endanger it and regional security.
“The fact the forum seems instead to have self-censored is disturbing, but it also shows that Xi Jinping’s China is seeking to silence all critical voices in our region who push back against his aggressive use of Chinese power.”
READ NOW: South China Sea: Ship deployed as tensions erupt between US and China [NEWS]