China Builds Nuclear-Proof Floating Island

China has commenced construction on a groundbreaking 78,000-tonne semi-submersible platform, hailed as the world's first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island. This ambitious project, slated for launch in 2028, is engineered with futuristic metamaterial panels designed to withstand nuclear blasts. Its ability to house 238 individuals for extended periods raises concerns among defense analysts regarding its potential to project influence into disputed maritime regions.

The facility, officially known as the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, has been in development for a decade. Its design boasts twin hulls for stability in extreme weather and a capacity for sustained research operations, potentially supporting seabed mining. While officials emphasize its scientific purpose, the inclusion of nuclear blast protection standards suggests dual-use intentions, particularly given its potential deployment in strategic areas like the South China Sea.

This innovative platform offers unprecedented mobility and endurance, exceeding that of some aircraft carriers. Military observers suggest it could serve as a strategic game-changer, functioning as a communications hub, logistics base, or surveillance station. Its unique design and survivability features underscore China's expanding ambitions in ocean science and the global 'blue economy'.