Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encore Thursday, April 20 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2. As the world enters a phase of aggressive competition over untapped ocean floor resources, countries are scrambling to stake their claims. The vast economic potential on offer has made the seabed the ultimate frontier in a new Age of Exploration. Deep oceans have become the front line in the search for oil, natural gas, and minerals used in smartphones and electric vehicles. China's research vessels in particular have been active in waters across the globe.