China is building the world's first nuclear-proof floating island. That's not good news for the U.S.

"If you are reading a lot about these topics lately, you know how China's decades-long strategy to become the top global superpower -and the greatest threat to U.S. world domination-is coming to fruition. What you may not be aware of is the other crucial part of Beijing's plans; its industrial ramp up to dominate the most crucial resource on the planet: the oceans."

"The Asian country has already produced the world's largest military fleet by ship count (although Washington still dominates in tonnage thanks to its large aircraft carrier groups). Yet Beijing's strategy for controlling the Indo-Pacific-and beyond-relies on more than just warships; it increasingly depends on gray zone tactics that blur the line between scientific research and military projection. China is systematically deploying dual-use "civilian" assets -from oceanographic survey ships to militarized fishing fleets-to map key strategic waterways and assert sovereignty without firing a shot."

China is accelerating a global maritime strategy that pairs rapid naval expansion with civilian-patterned, dual-use maritime assets to secure permanent presence in strategic waters. The fleet now ranks largest by ship count, while the United States maintains superiority in tonnage through carrier groups. Beijing employs gray-zone tactics that blur scientific research and military projection, using oceanographic survey ships and militarized fishing fleets to map waterways and assert sovereignty without open conflict. Parallel investments include floating islands and planned underwater bases intended to support a long-term blue economy and extend strategic control beyond regional seas.

Read at Fast Company