The Type 813 spy ship is the first purpose-built, indigenously designed spy ship entering service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Design begun in August 1977 by the 2nd Directorate of the 708th Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, which is also more commonly known as China Shipbuilding and Oceanic Engineering Design Academy (中国船舶及海洋工程设计研究) Archived 2019-07-06 at the Wayback Machine nowadays.

Design work was completed in September 1980 and construction immediately begun in the same month.

There are a total of ten sets of reconnaissance equipment on board and the ship entered service with South Sea Fleet.

Originally named as Xiangyanghong (向阳红) 21, the ship was later renamed as Haiwangxing.