Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 tracked in waters near Christmas Island off Western Australia Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene Updated about 6 hours ago A map of south east asia showing the path a vessel took travelling from china to australia INFOGRAPHIC: Defence tracked a Chinese research vessel as it mapped crucial submarine routes off the Western Australian coast. (ABC News) RELATED STORY: Chinese ships map waters near PNG as US and Australia upgrade Manus baseRELATED STORY: Defence closely tracks Chinese spy ship lurking near Australia ahead of wargames with USRELATED STORY: Chinese warships depart Sydney, leaving an important strategic lesson A high-tech Chinese research vessel has been detected mapping strategically important waters off the Western Australian coast where submarines are known to regularly transit. Key points: A Defence official said the ship was mapping waters used by Australian submarines to get to the South China Sea A Border Force spokesperson said the Xiang Yang Hong 01 had stayed in international waters In 2018, the Xiang Yang Hong 01 was found to be operating illegally within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Palau In January and February, officials closely tracked the movements of the oceanographic ship as it conducted deepwater surveys in the Indian Ocean near Christmas Island and the Australian mainland. An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokesperson told the ABC it was aware of the Chinese vessel's presence and confirmed it had stayed within international waters. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-02/chinese-research-vessel-tracked-defence-subs-western-australia/12009708