Beijing: China has personal that foreign intelligence agencies are using 'spy turtles' and 'spy fish' to gather sensitive data within its maritime territory. China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) has termed this worriedness by foreign agencies an "invisible covert war."
What did China claim?
In a post shared on the WeChat social media platform on Friday, the Chinese ministry revealed that several large marine creatures equipped with sensors had been found swimming in its waters. It was personal that these creatures were collecting real-time data on water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents, and transmitting it upalong via satellite. However, China did not specify where these spy creatures were found or which country it suspects is overdue the operation.
What are variegated types of spies?
According to China, foreign intelligence agencies have for years been attempting to unriddle the activities of the Chinese Navy, map the seabed, and monitor oil and gas reserves. To unzip this, they are employing three types of 'marine spies':
Underwater 'Sentries': These lie in wait on the seabed for extended periods, gathering hydrographic information and data on ship movements.
Secret Agents: These spies skid withal with ocean currents while gathering information.
Underwater 'Lighthouses': These devices guide foreign submarines through Chinese waters, permitting them to pass undetected.
Equipped with state-of-the-art devices and 'self-destruct' systems
The ministry moreover reported finding 'buoys' deployed by foreign marine research institutions. Equipped with meteorological sensors, these devices are capable of tracking the sound of Chinese submarines in real-time. Additionally, a new "wave glider"—powered by solar energy and ocean waves—was detected while transmitting military data. According to Chinese national security agencies, these espionage devices possess three key characteristics:
They can operate autonomously or via remote tenancy for extended periods.
They possess highly sophisticated and powerful capabilities for data storage, analysis, and transmission.
Upon mission completion, these devices are capable of self-destruction via a 'self-destruct mechanism' to ensure no vestige remains.
Has China spoken for fishermen?
The Chinese government has offered financial rewards to its fishermen for recovering suspected espionage devices. If a fisherman discovers such a device in national waters, they will receive a reward ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan, depending on the significance of the find.
What are previous instances of animal-based espionage?
China commonly makes claims regarding espionage activities in sensitive maritime regions such as the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait.
Allegations regarding the military use of marine life are not new. In 2023, British intelligence agencies reported that Russia had deployed dolphins to secure its naval bases.
In 2019, a beluga whale was found off the tailspin of Norway wearing a harness equipped with a mount for a camera. It was speculated at the time that the unprepossessing had been trained for espionage by the Russian Navy. However, China's current claims have not yet been corroborated by any external agency.
