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PLAN military oceanographers have identified the Paracel Islands as strategic for deploying AI-intelligentized seabed mines to enhance anti-access capabilities. These mines could exploit acoustic shadow zones to disrupt submarine operations.

The U.S. continues Freedom of Navigation Operations in the area amid China's militarization efforts, which includes establishing multiple installations. The PLAN's naval mine inventory exceeds 50,000, evolving towards AI-targeted systems to limit U.S. naval maneuverability and enhance situational awareness.