Chinese research vesselKexue recently placed the 400th profiling float in the northwest Pacific Ocean since it joined the forefront ocean monitoring plan Argo in 2002.
It signals the establishment of the first global real- time ocean observation network in China, state-run Global Times quoted the China Science Daily as saying.
So far, the network covers regions in the northwest Pacific Ocean, the mid and north Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, it said.
Other media reports earlier said China has developed a new underwater surveillance network to help itssubmarines lock on targets while protecting the nation's interests along its maritime Silk Road plan, which includes the Indian Ocean.
More From This Section
The system, which has already been launched, works by gathering information about the underwater environment, particularly water temperature and salinity, which the navy can then use to more accurately track target vessels as well as improve navigation and positioning, the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported.
The China Argo Real-time Data Centre is the hub of data transmission and management. As well as data sharing with Argo partners across the world, it is also able to exchange its data with the World Meteorological Organisation members within 24 hours.
China is building an ocean monitoring network consisting of 100 to 150 floats in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions to advance its ocean research, development, and management.
In the future, China will deploy more floats equipped with the self-developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the report said.