China has claimed that foreign intelligence services are allegedly using marine animals fitted with sensors to collect data in Chinese waters. Beijing described this as part of an “invisible secret war” against the country.
This was reported by The Guardian, citing China’s Ministry of State Security.
The ministry said that foreign intelligence agencies are using new methods to monitor maritime areas around China and gather sensitive data.
In a statement published on the WeChat platform, the Chinese side claimed that “spy turtles” and “spy fish” equipped with sensors had been discovered in its waters.
According to the ministry, these animals were allegedly collecting real-time data on water temperature, salinity and ocean currents, and then transmitting the information abroad via satellite communications.
Chinese authorities did not specify where exactly such animals had been found or which countries or intelligence agencies might be behind the activity.
Beijing also said that it had discovered buoys that, according to Chinese officials, had been deployed by a foreign marine research institute. They allegedly had the capability to track the acoustic signatures of Chinese submarines.
In addition, the ministry reported that foreign entities were using wave gliders — unmanned marine vehicles powered by wave motion and solar energy — which allegedly collect militarily significant information about the maritime environment and vessel movements.
China said that espionage activities are taking place in the waters of the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
Earlier, in 2024, Chinese authorities reported discovering hidden “beacons” on the seabed which, according to Beijing, could be used to guide foreign submarines.
According to Chinese media reports, the authorities pay fishermen rewards ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan for discovering espionage devices in Chinese waters.
