帛琉总统惠恕仁指控中国科研船在今年5月和7月分别未经授权进入帛琉专属经济区，进行调查活动，引发帛琉对国家主权和海上安全的担忧[1]。帛琉已向中国提出外交抗议，对这类活动的最终意图表示关切[1]。
根据帛琉官方说法，5月时一艘名为"极地"号的中国科研船进入帛琉专属经济区74公里，航行约14小时[1]。该船是一艘长89米的破冰船，于2024年下水，配备无人机及水下航行器[1]。惠恕仁总统表示："他们在我们光纜上方进行勘测，并在水中投放设备，这对我们来说是一个安全隐患。"[1] 7月发生的最近一次类似事件发生在中国向太平洋发射潜射飞弹之后[1]。
帛琉官方表示，类似事件曾在2018年、2024年和2025年发生过，2023年也有中国船只在帛琉海底光纜区域活动[1]。此外，中国今年已派遣16艘科研船往北太平洋[1]。
Chinese research vessels have entered Palau's exclusive economic zone without authorization on multiple occasions, prompting diplomatic protests and security alarm from the Pacific island nation.[1] President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau has accused China of conducting unauthorized survey activities in Palauan waters during May and July, asserting that such actions violate Palau's sovereignty.[1] The president expressed particular concern over the vessels' operations, stating: "They are conducting surveys above our fiber optic cables, and they are dropping equipment into the water, which poses a security hazard for us."[1]
The most notable incident occurred in May when a Chinese research vessel named Polar entered Palau's exclusive economic zone, penetrating 74 kilometers into the zone and traveling for approximately 14 hours.[1] The Polar is an 89-meter icebreaker that was launched in 2024 and is equipped with unmanned aerial vehicles and underwater navigation equipment.[1] The most recent incursion happened in July, following China's test launch of submarine-launched missiles into the Pacific region.[1] Palau has lodged formal diplomatic protests with China in response to these activities and expressed concern about the ultimate intentions behind such operations.[1] Similar incidents occurred in 2018, 2024, and 2025, and a Chinese vessel was documented operating in the submarine cable area of Palauan seabed in 2023.[1] This year alone, China has dispatched 16 research vessels to the North Pacific region.[1]