Making waves: marine research vessels in China and Vietnam’s overlapping maritime zones

Abstract

Past studies have emphasized the significance of reclamations, oil and gas drilling operations, and the deployment of coast guards, as symbols of effective occupancy in grey zone areas of the South China Sea. Unfortunately, the rising number of Chinese research ships infiltrating Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) seems to be disregarded in its significance, as scholars interpret the actions as taken-for-granted events. This qualitative, multiple empirical case study aims to elucidate the maritime events, situated within the analytical framework of maritime diplomacy’s persuasive and coercive maritime conduct. Utilizing data attained from AIS and reported by Marine Traffic, Sea Vision, SeaLight, and Windward between 2019 and 2025, this study concludes the following: (1) the deliberate deployment of Chinese research ships as means to project the state’s maritime power despite the lack of understanding as whether the operations fall within the spectrum of scientific, military, or commercial research; (2) the function of compelling Vietnam to abandon or cancel the oil and gas drilling operations undertaken within its EEZ; and (3) populating the seas as means to display effective occupation and weaken the adversary’s claim by establishing a landscape of latent threats at sea.

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