China has embarked on a new phase of ocean exploration, driven by its leader Xi Jinping's ambition to establish the country as a maritime power. This includes developing a world-class navy, the largest deep-sea fishing fleet, and a focus on seabed mineral extraction. The goal is to enhance China's research capabilities to align with these maritime ambitions.
Chinese scientific research vessels are expanding their reach and depth of exploration, collecting data that could enhance understanding of marine ecosystems and climate change impacts. However, these findings may also support China's naval strategies, including submarine deployment in the Pacific and tracking American submarines.
Experts note that China's expanding research fleet could provide a significant advantage in maritime competition with the United States. Bruce Jones, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, remarked on the rapid progress China is making in ocean research, particularly in the deep seabed domain.
Chinese research vessels have been operating in strategically important waters, including areas off Taiwan's east coast and around Guam, as indicated by ship position data from Starboard Maritime Intelligence. The vessels have been following systematic patterns that suggest a deliberate effort to gather seabed information, potentially aiding military operations.
Last year, the Xiang Yang Hong 6 and five other Chinese research ships conducted 25 passes in parallel lines off Taiwan's east coast. Additionally, Chinese vessels have surveyed waters around Guam, with some ships equipped for deep-sea exploration and advanced sonar technology.
China's research fleet primarily consists of civilian ships operated by government agencies and universities, allowing for less scrutiny compared to military vessels. This enables China to conduct operations in sensitive areas with greater freedom.
In February, the Da Yang Hao, a Chinese research ship, conducted a five-day survey along Taiwan's east coast, followed by similar missions from other vessels. Although some ships approached Taiwan's territorial waters, they did not cross the boundary, limiting Taiwan's ability to respond.
Experts suggest that the data collected could provide insights into submarine navigation and potential military strategies. The Kuroshio Current, which affects the region's underwater geography, is of particular interest for military operations.
Chinese ships have also been surveying near Guam, a critical U.S. military hub. The tightly packed survey patterns indicate a focused effort on bathymetric mapping, which could aid military navigation and the identification of undersea cables.
Concerns regarding China's maritime activities have escalated in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam have protested against Chinese research operations in their exclusive economic zones. Taiwan's officials have expressed alarm over the presence of Chinese research vessels near their waters.
Despite regional apprehensions, China's ocean research initiatives continue, with recent activities by the Xiang Yang Hong 1 and Xiang Yang Hong 5 in the waters east of Guam, maintaining their systematic exploration patterns.
Map sources include Starboard Maritime Intelligence, Spire Global, and various academic institutions. The analysis is based on the automatic identification systems (AIS) position data of active Chinese research vessels throughout 2022 and 2024.