‘40 billion tonnes’ of oil: organisation expands deep water, maritime and naval research in the South China Sea
The Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering opened in May to study the resources and ecology of the South China Sea, and improve the nation’s maritime operations
China’s first deep-sea research facility, the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, began operations in May. The facility is located in Sanya and is mandated by the central government to study the ecology of the South China Sea in order to enhance public knowledge of the resources of the region and how to protect them, as well as improve naval capabilities for China’s maritime operations.
“The deep sea has a wealth of resources, including mineral, biotic and petroleum resources, and there are more than 40 billion tonnes of petroleum in the South China Sea alone.
Therefore, it is necessary to enhance scientific research capabilities there,” Gao Shu, director of the School of Geographic and Ocean-ographic Sciences at Nanjing University, told the Global Times.
There are more than 40 billion tonnes of petroleum in the South China Sea alone. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance scientific research capabilities there
The facility will not only map the floor of the South China Sea, but also take stock of all its resources and advise how to exploit them, while also protecting its ecological balance. This is China’s first public platform for deep sea research and experiments, so activities in the future will include experts from all over the world who are interested in studying the South China Sea specifically, and ocean resource management.
Sanya has, after all, established itself as the hub of the region, in terms of economic and political clout. The nation’s South China Sea naval base is also located here, which will most certainly double as the home port for one of the institute’s most important research vessels, Tansuo 1, the mother ship for a submersible China plans on sending more than 4,500 metres deep into the ocean.
The research from this institute over the next few years will help China to better manage the resources of its territory as well as provide Sanya with critical information about the waters immediately surrounding the municipality. Sanya will be able to better manage its own oceanic resources while the nation learns more about one of the world’s most fascinating stretches of ocean, the South China Sea.
