Chinese spy ships map the Taiwanese seabed: will there be the next sudden war?

Researchers at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) have discovered a high-tech Chinese surveillance ship circling Taiwan that was not reported until late 2023.

Zhu Hai Yun, which is equipped with advanced monitoring and surveillance equipment, has charted a course that aims to “challenge and investigate the environment around the island”, according to marine experts.

Earlier this month, reports of covert operations by a Chinese spy ship Jiang Wang Hong 03 in the Indian Ocean and its call at Male port made headlines.

report This highlights the dual application of Chinese research vessels often associated with military research. According to analysis of satellite imagery and other open-source information, CSIS reports that “the lines separating Zhu Hai Yun and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are highly blurred.”

Relations between Taiwan and China can best be described as “complex”, although many experts believe there is no reason to believe that the economic fallout would lead to full-scale war. .

However, the possibility of limited Chinese aggression cannot be completely ruled out. Since 2020, the balance of military presence in the Taiwan Strait has slowly but profoundly shifted in China’s favor, with the PLA’s growing presence around Taiwan increasing the risk of accidental conflict.

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The Zhu Hai Yun is one of dozens of Chinese research ships that observe the world’s oceans to collect data on the marine environment. While China claims the data is important for civilian, scientific and commercial research, experts believe it also supports military intelligence.

What sets Zhu Hai Yun apart, even among China’s most sophisticated research fleet, is its advanced capabilities with the ship’s navigation and control systems reportedly using artificial intelligence to operate for extended periods without human intervention. are supported by the software.

Engineered to act as a “mothership”, it can carry and deploy more than 50 unmanned vehicles – air, surface and underwater drones – directly from its deck while underway.

With Zhu Hai Yun as the center, these small platforms can simultaneously survey a three-dimensional area spanning 160 kilometers across, 4,000 meters above and 1,500 meters below sea surface, and has dual-use application.

“The USVs and undersea gliders carried aboard Zhu Hai Yun are equipped with advanced equipment such as side-scan sonar, which Chinese naval researchers have identified as useful for detecting undersea targets such as mines and submarines. The CSIS report noted that other systems such as aerial drones could be used to survey or monitor target areas from the sky.

According to CSIS senior research fellow Brian Hart, Zhu Hai Yun’s activities came to light following his analysis of Chinese research vessel activities in the Indian Ocean region.

Earlier this year, a Chinese spy ship Jiang Wang Hang 03 was reported to be conducting surveillance activities near India’s EEZ. According to maritime data, the ship wandered in a semi-circular zig-zag pattern outside the exclusive economic zones of India, Maldives and Sri Lanka for more than three weeks.

The main source of concern is the ability of such a survey ship, which reportedly conducts research and marine tracking activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), to map the ocean floor and observe ocean currents and oceanographic trends. Can be studied – data that can be used for a wide range of scientific research, but also for naval warfare.

Surveillance increased near Taiwan

Zhu Hai Yun’s vigilant patrol in the 24-nautical mile area adjacent to Taiwan marks an important development. In recent years, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has increased its presence near the island, deploying warplanes and warships close to this maritime boundary. The purpose of this strategy is to gradually weaken Taipei’s sovereignty claims over adjacent waters and airspace.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, states can claim a contiguous zone up to 24 nautical miles from their coastline, giving them resource rights and jurisdiction over the surface and bottom of that ocean area.

Another Chinese research ship, the Da Yang, operated off the east coast of Taiwan from February 15 to 17, according to Taipei information confirmed by ship tracking data.

Ke Xue, Hai Da Hao, Xue Long, Jia Geng, Jiang Yang Hong 03, Jiang Yang Hong 10, Yan Ping 2, Jiang Yang Hong 06, Tan Suo Hai Yao, Da Hong Yao, Zi Hai Yun, Ke Xue San Hao, Hai Da Hao, Hai Yang Di Zi Jiu Hao are among 13 ships that have entered Taiwan’s 24 nautical mile zone since 2023.

Zhu Hai Yun’s close approach to Taiwan’s 24-nautical mile (nm) contiguous zone is significant. In recent years, PLA aircraft and warships have moved increasingly close to the island’s immediate vicinity to undermine Taipei’s claims to sovereignty over the waters and airspace around the island.

During large-scale military exercises around Taiwan in April 2023, several PLA ships deliberately intruded into Taiwan’s vicinity in a rare and provocative maneuver.

Chinese warplanes in Taiwan air defense zone

Starting in 2020, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense began issuing daily reports on Chinese military operations within the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) – a buffer beyond Taiwan’s territorial waters and airspace, intended to deter incoming Chinese aircraft or missiles have to be detected quickly.

The move responded to increasing pressure from China, with PLA aircraft violating the area nearly 400 times in 2020 alone. By 2023, these infiltrations increased to more than 1,700.

In October 2022, following increased incursions following Ms Pelosi’s visit, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry announced that any PLA aircraft entering Taiwan’s territorial airspace or waters – within 12 nautical miles of its shores – would be Will be considered a “first strike”, meaning they will be stopped. ,

Since then no intrusion by PLA aircraft has been reported. However, China has challenged Taiwan’s resolve by launching at least 27 balloons into its airspace since the beginning of the year.

At least 11 Chinese coastguards have been detected around Taiwan, the highest number this year, Taiwan’s defense ministry said Wednesday, as a dispute escalated between the island and China over a deadly fishing boat incident. Is.

A Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized while being pursued by the Taiwanese Coast Guard near Kinmen Island off Taiwan on February 14, killing all aboard, throwing them overboard.

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