A Chinese vessel, believed to be a spy ship, is reportedly traveling along Australia’s southern coastline, closely shadowing the path of a key undersea communications cable. The ship, identified as Tan Suo Yi Hao, is being monitored by Australian defense and intelligence agencies, according to reports.
“I would prefer that it wasn’t there,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “But just as Australia has vessels in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, this vessel is here. Our defense and security agencies are keeping a close watch on it.”
The Tan Suo Yi Hao, operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a vessel designed to support deep-sea submersibles capable of diving up to 10,000 meters. With 11 laboratories and advanced data systems on board, the ship is believed to serve a dual purpose: conducting legitimate scientific research while also gathering intelligence.
The ship departed China in early January 2025 for a joint research project with New Zealand scientists. After completing deep-sea surveys in the Puysegur Trench and returning to Bluff, New Zealand, it began its return journey to China.
Instead of taking the most direct route, however, the vessel sailed through the Tasman Sea, passed the Victorian coastline near Portland, and is now traveling westward along South Australia’s coast.
The ship is not scheduled to visit any Australian ports and is expected to return to China by the end of April. While its movements are in accordance with international maritime law, its close proximity to Australia’s deep-sea fiber-optic cables has raised concerns about China’s maritime activity in the region.
In November 2024, a Chinese vessel, identified as Yi Peng 3, was accused of severing two critical internet cables in the Baltic Sea by dragging its anchor along the seabed for over 100 miles.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stressed that the vessel’s operations are carried out safely and professionally, in full compliance with international laws and norms. He urged Australia to recognize these as routine maritime activities and refrain from making baseless speculations.
In February, Australia closely monitored a Chinese Navy task force consisting of a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply vessel operating in international waters off Australia’s east coast. On February 21, Australia confirmed that the Chinese naval task force conducted live-fire drills without prior notice, an exercise that reportedly led to flight diversions. The vessels were later reported to have departed the region in early March.
The detection of Chinese warships off Australia’s east coast follows a warning from the nation’s intelligence chief, who stated that multiple foreign intelligence agencies are “relentlessly” pursuing classified information about Australia’s military capabilities, including details of its nuclear submarine deal with the United States and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS agreement.
