The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee is considering a draft national security law that seeks to protect China's interests in outer space, on the sea bed and in the polar regions.

On Wednesday, the law, which states that the country would "peacefully explore and exploit" these areas, was tabled for a third reading by the country's top legislative body, Xinhua reported.

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According to the draft security law, China would develop its security mechanisms, heighten cooperation with other countries, improve its scientific capabilities and protect its interests on "new strategic frontiers."

The reading of the draft law comes as a top US security official revealed that the Pentagon is set to create a new command center in space to improve the security of country's assets. According to The Diplomat, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work explained that the development of the military capabilities of China and Russia poses a threat to the US. 

"The ugly reality that we must now all face is that if an adversary were able to take space away from us, our ability to protect decisive power across transoceanic distances and overmatch adversaries in theaters once we get there...would be critically weakened," Work said.

China has invested considerably over the past few decades in exploration activities in the deep sea and the Arctic regions. Experts say not only does China stand to gain resources through these exploratory projects, but the country is also going to boost its geopolitical area of influence.

The draft law tabled on Wednesdat also laid out plans for the development of China's nuclear technology in accordance with international law and strengthening the country's defense system in the event of a nuclear attack.

Besides the draft national security law, which deals with the country's interests in space, under the sea and in the polar regions, legislators also tabled a draft law on cyber security. The 68-article draft lays out plans for developing the country's cyber security capabilities. Authorities are reported to have also discussed the establishment of a system for monitoring and reporting cyber threats.

TagsChina National Security Law, China Space Security, China Undersea Security, China Arctic Region Security, China National Security