Chinese ‘spy ship’ carrying submarines spotted off Australian coast

March 31, 2025 journo

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he’d “prefer it” if a Chinese research vessel wasn’t sailing through Australian waters after being probed over the ship’s close proximity.

The Tan Suo Yi Hao, a Chinese mothership which ferries smaller submarines, is confirmed to be sitting in the South Australian coast in the Great Australian Bight.

The PM said the government was continuing to “monitor the situation” but wouldn’t be detailing any further information for “obvious reasons”.

TAN SUO YI HAO Chinese ship — The Tan Suo Yi Hao. (File image) (China Institute of Deep-sea Science & Engineering)

“I would prefer that it wasn’t there. But we live in circumstances where, just as Australia has vessels in the South China Sea and vessels in the Taiwan Strait and a range of areas, this vessel is there,” Albanese said in Perth today.

“We’re keeping an eye on this, as we do. The Australian Defence Force [is] monitoring what is happening…

“It’s going from New Zealand. We expect it to go around to China… around that way.”

The so-called “spy ship” is used for scientific research and intelligence collection, according to reports.

China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering states the 94m ship is capable of exploring depths of 10,000m.

Anthony Albanese said he would “prefer it” if the vessel was not in Australian waters. (9News)

Australian officials raised concerns over a live-fire drill alert however Chinese armed forces hit back and said it was an “exaggerated” response.

“Australia’s claims are completely unfounded,” Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said last month.

“China’s actions are in full compliance with international law and international practices and will not affect aviation flight safety.

Albanese said during his campaign pitstop in Perth he had full confidence in Australia’s armed forces and security agencies.

“What our task is to do, is to make sure that we represent Australia’s national interest,” he said.

“We do that each and every day and I have every confidence in our defence force and our security agencies to do just that.”

The Department of Defence has been contacted for comment.