News Analysis China launched a new satellite designed for “Earth observation” on April 7. According to Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled media, the Gaofen-3-03 will coordinate with two similar satellites currently in orbit, and subsequently enhance Beijing’s ability to produce synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The regime claims that these images will enable the country to monitor the underwater marine environment in China’s territorial waters more accurately. This will ostensibly allow the CCP to identify and pre-empt potential climate and natural disasters emergencies. A more intentional reading of these reports, however, reveals an alarming conclusion. Beneath the altruistic verbiage about environmental protection and calamity prevention, it is easier to interpret the real implications of China’s capacity for enhanced satellite imaging. The ability to “[provide] operational application data support for China’s marine development” will equate to enhanced imaging capabilities for the PLA Navy to extend its influence into disputed territories. This is …