Two research vessels affiliated with the Chinese government have conducted structural activities in the undersea cable corridors of the Pacific Ocean in September 2026. One of these vessels, a patrol ship flying the Chinese flag, was working around the Guam cable hub, while the other was near the international cables east of Japan.
Mapping Around Guam
This patrol ship, operating under the supervision of a government research institute, has been working around the undersea cable hub of Guam for seven weeks. From August 31 to September 20, this vessel operated in a research pattern in the eastern Guam area between the Bulikula and SEA-US cables. After passing through the exclusive economic zone of Guam and CNMI from September 20 to 22, this vessel began a second network in the western Guam area in the Philippine Sea and continued its work until September 29.
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Research in Japan's Cable Corridors
Separately, another research vessel belonging to a Chinese state university has been operating in the northwest Pacific Ocean east of Japan since September 11. This vessel has conducted 27 low-speed research stops over 18 days in an area where the JUNO, Jupiter, FASTER, and other cables pass. The AIS of this vessel has been active throughout, and it is currently moving southwest at a speed of 13 knots.
The activities of China's research vessels together indicate a broader pattern of seabed mapping in areas around the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii. U.S. Navy intelligence officials have stated that this data could assist in submarine navigation, concealment, and the placement of sensors or weapons on the seabed.
Stopping and Mapping in the Luzon Strait
Another Chinese research vessel has also been stopping in the Bashi Channel, about 38 miles northwest of Itbayat, within the Philippine economic zone since September 22. While its AIS reports an inaccurate position, it is mapping the undersea cables of SEA-ME-WE 3 and other cables. The behavior of this vessel, which appears to involve unauthorized mapping, has raised serious concerns about China's research activities in these areas.
These vessels, despite operating under different flags, seem to be intentionally mapping the seabed and cables. Evidence suggests that these operations contribute to enhancing China's dual capabilities to target trans-Pacific cables.
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