Chinise Maritime Activities under US Surveillance
Nothing escapes the constant vigilance of US surveillance activities near the Chinese coast and the Pacific First Island Chain which extends from Alaska to the Philippines, according to the Beijing Morning Post.
A Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch is in charge of operations in the Asia-Pacific. It is also part of the Special Mission Ship program established to collect intelligence over the disputed South China Sea.
The USNS Bowditch is described by the Chinese as the "vacuum of ocean intelligence." It is also equipped with ocean depth multi-beam and single-beam sonar systems.
With intelligence provided by the USNS Bowditch, US nuclear-powered attack submarines are capable of intercepting PLA Navy submarines in the disputed waters.
The United States Navy has a total number of 12 surveillance ships, separated into four classes. The United States mobilizes a total number of 29 vessels to check the Chinese activities in the South China Sea. Other intelligence gathering ships are also operating over Yellow Sea and East China Sea waters.