Chinese undersea monitoring device found near Bali raises alarm
ABC News reports that a Chinese undersea monitoring device found in a strategic Indonesian waterway last month is a fresh warning for regional security. Experts say it shows the extent of Beijing's undersea reach. The discovery is expected to feed into Australia's defence planning.
A Chinese undersea monitoring device found in Indonesia's strategic waterways has revived debate over regional security. ABC News reports the device was discovered in a deep-water passage near Bali last month, with experts saying it offers clues about China's undersea routes and operational targets. Indonesian officials have confirmed its origin in private channels.
Specialists say monitoring devices of this kind can provide intelligence on submarine cable traffic, submarine transits and hydrographic data. Details about the device's effective operating window and how it transmitted data have not been released by Indonesia. The United States and Australia say they could offer technical support to partners in the region.
The Australian government has said additional monitoring investments along its northern maritime approaches could feature in its defence planning. Jakarta, while guarding its sovereign sensitivities, asked Beijing for an official explanation through formal diplomatic channels. Competition over ports and islands in the wider region is expected to intensify in the coming months.
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