China to dig deeper and wider

Sep 18, 2011 - K.J.M. Varma |

Beijing

China on Saturday announced plans to expand its seabed mineral explorations in the Indian Ocean after an international authority approved its bid to mine for polymetallic sulphide ore, much to the surprise of India.

Beijing has already got approval to explore to 10,000 sq km of seabed area in southwest Indian Ocean for the ore and now plans to invest more to expand the “depth and scope of oceanic research”.
Following the approval, China’s ocean mineral res-ources research and development association is set to sign a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority granting pre-emptive rights for it to develop the ore deposit in future, state run Xinhua reported. “We will expand the depths and scope of oceanic research and improve our understanding of the ocean, with special focuses on the polar regions and deep sea environments,” Liu Cigui, head of the state oceanic administration said.
The move has already raised concerns in India with directorate of naval intelligence informing the government that the contract would provide an excuse for China to operate its warships besides compiling data on the vast mineral resources in India’s backyard. — PTI

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