Max depth of South China Sea is 16,000 ft (3 miles).
Deep sea recovery of a 29,000 lb (14 ton) aircraft will require Glomar Explorer type recovery vessel.
I’m just spit-balling here but...
Do the Chinese have an tracked underwater vehicle?
While we’re dithering on the surface, the Chinese just launch a few Glomar Explorers with a track chassis from the shore that haul it back up on the mainland. And we can’t do squat.
Hmmm... let’s keep this idea between you and me for now.
They would just recover or destroy parts. And the ocean isn’t that deep everywhere. (I don’t know where it went down—so I am writing in general.)
Just send a submersible drone down to cut it up, and pick it apart. Then drop a charge on whats left of it.
Greenpeace isn’t going to like that.
Piece of cake. ;)