China’s Ministry of State Security has accused foreign intelligence agencies of deploying marine animals equipped with advanced sensors to monitor the nation’s waters. In a statement posted on the Chinese platform WeChat, the ministry claimed these "spy animals," including turtles and fish, are part of an "invisible secret war" aimed at collecting sensitive underwater data.
The alleged surveillance efforts are said to include the production of detailed underwater maps, which Beijing claims pose a "serious threat to our national security." These claims, made without specifying which foreign entities are involved, highlight China’s growing concerns over maritime espionage amidst escalating tensions in regional waters.
Espionage Tactics in Focus
The ministry’s statement emphasized the use of "a variety of new spying devices" to gather intelligence. While the assertion remains unverified, it underscores China’s increasingly adversarial stance toward foreign intelligence operations in its claimed territories.
"This invisible secret war is quietly playing out in the seas around China," the ministry warned.
The allegations come as China continues to assert its dominance in contested maritime regions, including the South China Sea, where it faces ongoing disputes with neighboring nations and Western powers.