China Building Underwater Surveillance Network in South China Sea

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China is building an advanced underwater surveillance system in the South China Sea that could be used by the country's military, Forbes reported Wednesday.

Known as the "Blue Ocean Information Network" and "Underwater Great Wall," the systems are a combination of floating radar posts and sonar systems laid on the ocean floor. Most of these installations are in Chinese territory, but a few also sit in international waters.

China maintains that the technology will be used for civilian purposes, although its design allows for military use. The Xi regime has promoted a policy of "Military-Civil Fusion," which encourages technological cooperation and information sharing between state enterprise, researchers, and China's military.

"It is unrealistic to assume that their sensor data cannot be accessed by the [People's Liberation Army Navy] for military purposes," writes defense analyst H.I. Sutton.