Beijing invests in "sovereignty extortion" plan China is taking advantage of the power of science and technology to strengthen its claims of "sovereignty extortion" in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).   The dual use of sci-tech projects on the one hand helps Beijing confirm the rising power of a maritime power, and on the other hand ensures control of the army in disputed waters. China’s announcement of the construction of a manned deep-sea platform in the East Sea, which would be located as much as 3,000 meters below sea level, is the latest example to prove the assessment. Currently, the details of this project have not been disclosed yet. This is an ambitious project. Besides the search for mineral purposes, the laboratory may be used for military purposes such as tracking submarines or establishing military communications channels. The deep-sea technology is usually used for both civil and military purposes. In addition to being used for scientific research, the submarine communication systems or seabed sensors play an important role in national security. During peacetime, they are used to track foreign submarines or warships. In wartime, they play the role of connecting information systems, improving the system of command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance ... The field of research and development, especially projects related to the sea, is now China’s focus of investment. The current scientific and technological level, as well as abundant funds, help China pursue different approaches to create their advantage in the maritime sovereignty disputes. Beijing spent about $216 billion in research and development in 2015 while the defense budget was about $145 billion. The new technology in underwater archeology helps China in the search for or exploration of antiques under the sea. The artifacts "found" in the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago will be used by China as proof of sovereignty. Some other notable projects include the Jiaolong submarine that reached a record depth of more than 7,000 meters under the sea in 2012. This submarine can be used for different purposes, such as detecting torpedoes, seabed mapping with high precision, reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, biomass collection... Also in recent years, China focused on manufacturing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The areas of research include image recognition system and underwater communication systems. UUVs or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), as well as all other unmanned systems, are considered the future of war. Of course, depending on the tactical and strategic use that UUVs or USVs have different roles, but their importance in the military is increasing. The most notable plan in recent time is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), one of the two largest state-owned shipbuilding consortiums of China, planning to build the Underwater Great Wall Project. China’s investment in submersibles, unmanned equipment, underwater archeology and a submarine research center show this country’s ambitions to become a "maritime power". In the modern international environment it’s hard for powers to use force arbitrarily. To achieve foreign and domestic goals, emerging powers like China prefer using "soft" measures, through technology as one approach. In the context that China wants to turn itself from a continental power to a marine power, the technological factor plays a greater role. However, it always needs a certain sobriety with both directions. The first is the civil or scientific tendency, but mostly these projects serve the goal of sovereignty extortion. This trend is far more obvious and measurable by different technical-support means. The second is the gap between China’s statements and the real nature. China’s military technology is currently lagging behind the US by 20 years, and 20 years in the technology world today is a very big gap. Another important point is: the seabed technology is very expensive. More than a week after China released the initial information on the lab of 3,000m deep under the sea, many are suspicious about the "luxury" of the project. Balancing these two factors will give a multi-dimensional perspective and objectivity in the assessment of the situation in the East Sea in the coming time. VNN  Nguyen The Phuong Associate researcher at the Center for International Studies (SCIS), University of Social Sciences and Humanities, HCM City National University HCMC. •    The article is the view of the author, not SCIS.