Oceanographic Magazine reports that China plans to construct a deep-sea research facility, or "deep-sea space station," roughly 6,000 feet below the South China Sea's surface by 2030. This underwater station will accommodate up to six scientists for month-long missions, primarily to study cold seep ecosystems and methane hydrate deposits. Researchers intend to establish a four-dimensional monitoring system using submersibles, ships, and seabed observatories. The project has sparked controversy due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the area's valuable resources, like methane hydrates and mineral deposits. The facility is similar to a US-led mission to build an "underwater space station of the ocean” off the Caribbean island of Curacao, with both projects aiming to advance marine research.

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