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Thursday, Apr 03, 2025
Outside the box.
Chinese Research Vessel Monitored Off Australia’s Coast
The Tan Suo Yi Hao, a Chinese deep-sea science vessel, enters Australia's exclusive economic zone amid security concerns.
Australia's Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, confirmed that the Chinese deep-sea science and engineering vessel, Tan Suo Yi Hao, entered Australia's exclusive economic zone on Thursday, March 27. The vessel is currently operating approximately 460 nautical miles (852 kilometers) west-southwest of Adelaide.
Vice Admiral Jones stated that Defence routinely monitors maritime traffic in Australia’s maritime approaches and will continue to keep a watch on the Tan Suo Yi Hao while it remains in the vicinity.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed concerns regarding the vessel during a press conference in Perth, where he was questioned about reports that the vessel was tracking Australia's deep-sea submarine cable.
The Tan Suo Yi Hao had recently completed a joint exploration exercise with New Zealand and was confirmed by Albanese to have departed Wellington on March 23. It has not reported any intentions to visit an Australian port and is heading west, currently outside of Australia’s exclusive zone.
The vessel is projected to return to China on April 30.
The Tan Suo Yi Hao previously transited the Bass Strait in January 2023. Prime Minister Albanese noted that similar vessels have approached the Australian coast in the past, citing occurrences in 2020. He emphasized that Australia is monitoring the situation closely, stating that while he would prefer the vessel were not present, it is part of a broader context in which Australian vessels also operate in strategic areas, including the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
A spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that authorities are well aware of the vessel's movements, including its location, direction, and speed.
Additionally, earlier this year, Albanese faced questions regarding why a Virgin pilot was the first to alert the authorities about the vessel's presence.
Vice Admiral Jones stated that Defence routinely monitors maritime traffic in Australia’s maritime approaches and will continue to keep a watch on the Tan Suo Yi Hao while it remains in the vicinity.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed concerns regarding the vessel during a press conference in Perth, where he was questioned about reports that the vessel was tracking Australia's deep-sea submarine cable.
The Tan Suo Yi Hao had recently completed a joint exploration exercise with New Zealand and was confirmed by Albanese to have departed Wellington on March 23. It has not reported any intentions to visit an Australian port and is heading west, currently outside of Australia’s exclusive zone.
The vessel is projected to return to China on April 30.
The Tan Suo Yi Hao previously transited the Bass Strait in January 2023. Prime Minister Albanese noted that similar vessels have approached the Australian coast in the past, citing occurrences in 2020. He emphasized that Australia is monitoring the situation closely, stating that while he would prefer the vessel were not present, it is part of a broader context in which Australian vessels also operate in strategic areas, including the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
A spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that authorities are well aware of the vessel's movements, including its location, direction, and speed.
Additionally, earlier this year, Albanese faced questions regarding why a Virgin pilot was the first to alert the authorities about the vessel's presence.
