Chinese ‘Survey’ Vessel Spotted Re-Entering the Indian Ocean

The same vessel was spotted in the IOR earlier in March 2024 when India was conducting its first flight test of the nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic Agni-5 missile, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. 

Chinese vessel in the Indian Ocean

New Delhi: A Chinese surveillance vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 was spotted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on Thursday (February 7), satellite images shared by an independent OSINT (open source intelligence) expert.

“Chinese Ocean Survey vessel, XIANG YANG HONG 01 was seen entering the Indian Ocean Region a short while ago – the last time the vessel was observed in the region was March 2024, when it operated nearly 250- nautical miles off the coast of Visakhapatnam,” said the expert, whose handle on X identifies them as @detresfa. 

They also shared a satellite image showing the suspected vessel.

The same vessel was spotted in the IOR earlier in March 2024 when India was conducting its first flight test of the nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic Agni-5 missile, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. 

India has been keeping a close watch on the activities of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean. 

“We have also kept a close watch on the activities of extra-regional forces operating in the IOR, including the PLA Navy units – whether it is their warships, their research vessels, satellite tracking ships and we know who is doing what, where and how…” said Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi in an annual press conference, as reported by DC.

Last month, two Chinese vessels, Lan Hai 101 and 201, were spotted in the Arabian Sea, apparently conducting research for China’s aquaculture sector. 

“Fisheries science vessels, Lan Hai 101 & 201 are in the Arabian Sea conducting research for China’s aquaculture sector gaining information that will likely support Beijing’s distant-water fishing fleet that operates in the region,” the OSINT expert had posted.

India has long viewed China’s presence in the Indian Ocean as part of its alleged “String of Pearls” strategy – a hypothesis suggested by some researchers regarding its apparent effort to build a network of commercial and military bases to expand its naval footprint across South Asia.