🔆China has approved the construction of the first South China Sea deepwater ‘space station’. About  ✅The facility will be a cold seep ecosystem research facility, located 2,000 meters below the surface. ✅It will be one of the deepest and most technologically complex underwater installations. ✅It is expected to be operational by around 2030. 📍 the South China Sea ✅It is one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world, extending from the Strait of Malacca in the southwest, to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast. ✅It is a crucial maritime gateway and junction for shipping between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. ✅It is surrounded by several nations, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. ✅Importance:  The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and fisheries, and serves as a crucial trade route for various economies. ✅Dispute:  The South China Sea dispute involves China’s broad claims over the region, contested by ASEAN nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei over islands, reefs, and resources.  ✅These disputes affect freedom of navigation and air traffic. ✅India’s Position:  India’s position on the South China Sea has evolved in recent years, shifting from neutrality to more active support for claimant states like the Philippines and Vietnam. ✅India also seeks to secure its energy resources and enhance economic ties through its Look East Policy. #places_in_news #sea_series