Big Chinese research vessel monitored in PH waters
ONE of China's biggest fisheries research vessels has been spotted passing through the Philippines' archipelagic waters, SeaLight, a transparency initiative tracking developments in the South China Sea, said Monday. Retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, reported on Monday that the vessel, the Lan Hai 101, appears to be en route to the Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, its companion ship, Lan Hai 201, remains in the Arabian Sea, continuing its purported fisheries research operations. Powell said that the Lan Hai 101 took an unusual route, traveling north through the Philippines' internal waters after coming up from the Celebes Sea. The more direct route would have been west of Palawan, raising questions about the ship's actual purpose in the region. The presence of the Lan Hai 101 in Philippine waters adds to mounting concerns about China's expanding maritime footprint. While Beijing claims these ships are conducting fisheries research, analysts and security experts fear they may also be gathering critical maritime intelligence. China's distant-water fishing fleet has long been accused of operating beyond the scope of mere fishing, often engaging in activities that align with Beijing's strategic interests. Similar incidents have been reported in other regions, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Recently, Lan Hai 101 and 201 were spotted in the Arabian Sea under the guise of conducting research for China's aquaculture sector. However, experts believe these missions are part of a broader strategy to collect hydrographic and oceanographic data that could have military applications. China's maritime research activities are increasingly viewed as a cover for intelligence gathering. The Lan Hai 101 is suspected to be equipped with advanced sensors, underwater drones, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), capable of mapping the seabed and collecting oceanographic data. Such intelligence could be critical for China's naval operations, particularly in tracking submarine movements and identifying key underwater features. The pattern of Chinese vessel activity has also raised alarms in other parts of Asia. In the Indian Ocean, Beijing has been accused of using similar research missions to strengthen its strategic position. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have all reported concerns over China's distant-water fishing fleet, which has been linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing as well as environmental degradation. Additionally, China's research vessels have been known to operate near key military exercises and missile test zones. The recent sighting of the Lan Hai 101 coincides with the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise hosted by the Pakistan Navy from Feb. 7 to 11, an event in which China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is expected to participate.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
ONE of China's biggest fisheries research vessels has been spotted passing through the Philippines' archipelagic waters, SeaLight, a transparency initiative tracking developments in the South China Sea, said Monday.
Retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, reported on Monday that the vessel, the Lan Hai 101, appears to be en route to the Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, its companion ship, Lan Hai 201, remains in the Arabian Sea, continuing its purported fisheries research operations.
Powell said that the Lan Hai 101 took an unusual route, traveling north through the Philippines' internal waters after coming up from the Celebes Sea. The more direct route would have been west of Palawan, raising questions about the ship's actual purpose in the region.
The presence of the Lan Hai 101 in Philippine waters adds to mounting concerns about China's expanding maritime footprint. While Beijing claims these ships are conducting fisheries research, analysts and security experts fear they may also be gathering critical maritime intelligence.
China's distant-water fishing fleet has long been accused of operating beyond the scope of mere fishing, often engaging in activities that align with Beijing's strategic interests.
Similar incidents have been reported in other regions, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Recently, Lan Hai 101 and 201 were spotted in the Arabian Sea under the guise of conducting research for China's aquaculture sector. However, experts believe these missions are part of a broader strategy to collect hydrographic and oceanographic data that could have military applications.
China's maritime research activities are increasingly viewed as a cover for intelligence gathering. The Lan Hai 101 is suspected to be equipped with advanced sensors, underwater drones, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), capable of mapping the seabed and collecting oceanographic data. Such intelligence could be critical for China's naval operations, particularly in tracking submarine movements and identifying key underwater features.
The pattern of Chinese vessel activity has also raised alarms in other parts of Asia. In the Indian Ocean, Beijing has been accused of using similar research missions to strengthen its strategic position. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have all reported concerns over China's distant-water fishing fleet, which has been linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing as well as environmental degradation.
Additionally, China's research vessels have been known to operate near key military exercises and missile test zones. The recent sighting of the Lan Hai 101 coincides with the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise hosted by the Pakistan Navy from Feb. 7 to 11, an event in which China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is expected to participate.
