Permission granted for Chinese marine research vessels to operate in Maldives' waters!
The Maldivian government's agreements with China for marine research raise concerns over potential espionage activities. Despite assurances of environmental protection, the lack of transparency fuels doubts about Beijing's true intentions in the strategically vital Indian Ocean region.
President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu with Chinese Foreign Minister - Maldives sea information is to be collected by China
As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government engages in discussions with China regarding the placement of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the Indian Ocean, concerns are being raised about the strategic implications of such research. Reports suggest that these devices will collect chemical and physical data from the ocean, as well as track fish movements.
The Muizzu administration has held these discussions with China at a time when the Maldivian fishing industry is on a downward spiral. Although the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has not disclosed specific details about the meeting, they have stated that the discussions primarily focused on strengthening cooperation.
Officials from the Chinese institute have also met with representatives from the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism and Environment, as well as delegates from the meteorological agency. Reports indicate that China is now working with the Meteorology Department to obtain permission to install these devices. However, the government has not officially confirmed the nature of the project, what is being done, or the intended objectives.
This is happening in connection with China's increasing involvement in Maldivian waters, with one notable event being the activities of the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 in Maldivian territory in early 2024. Described as one of the most advanced research vessels in the Chinese fleet, this ship spent about a month in Maldivian waters, raising concerns from relevant Indian authorities. This occurred at a time tension between the Muizzu administration, and the Indian government continues to grow.
Although the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the vessel was docking for resupply and crew rotation, Indian analysts have expressed concerns about potential military activities. Amidst numerous allegations of China gathering information in the Indian Ocean and deteriorating relations between the two countries, adding to these concerns, on 19 February 2025, the Muizzu administration signed an additional agreement with China's South China Sea Institute of Oceanography.
While there are fears that espionage equipment could be installed under the guise of scientific research, doubts have arisen that China's research activities in the Maldives may not be solely for environmental purposes.
The Maldivian government has signed an agreement allowing China to conduct marine environmental research and collect information for its use. The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCSIO), located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, is one of China's largest marine research institutes. Currently, the institute has over 600 staff, including approximately 100 senior scientists, over 100 crew members, and 400 students and postdoctoral researchers.
SCSIO's mission is to conduct in-depth research on regional and global oceans, particularly focusing on the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific Ocean.
Shortly after the current administration came to power, a Chinese marine research vessel was brought in and has been active in the Maldives since.
Under this agreement signed by the Maldives, it is believed that both parties have agreed to cooperate in environmental protection and marine research in the field of technology.
The Environment Ministry stated that this agreement is a significant advancement for the Maldives' environmental protection efforts. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also highlighted that this agreement will open up more opportunities for researching the Maldivian marine environment.
Details of specific projects and programs to be conducted by both parties under this agreement have not yet been disclosed.
Due to the geographical proximity of Maldives and India, the latter’s strategic decisions become particularly important, especially in the Indian Ocean region. Maldives, located just 70 nautical miles from India's Lakshadweep Islands and situated on important global trade routes, is a geopolitically interesting area. India has previously expressed unease about Chinese research vessels operating in the area, closely monitoring their activities.
Although the president has assured Maldivians of their right to access marine resources, the lack of transparency in these agreements necessitates a second look at this matter. The government, which came to power promising transparency, has not yet provided full details about the scope of China's research activities.
