China Claims Foreign Spies Use Turtles for Ocean Surveillance
China's Ministry of State Security has raised alarms about foreign espionage in its waters, alleging that rival nations are using animals, specifically turtles and fish, as covert spies. According to the ministry, these creatures are outfitted with advanced sensors capable of gathering real-time marine data, including water temperature and salinity, and transmitting this information via satellite. The ministry's claims were shared on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, although it did not specify where these so-called 'spy turtles' and 'spy fish' were discovered.
In addition to the animal spies, the ministry reported finding buoys allegedly deployed by foreign marine research institutes, equipped with sensors designed to track the acoustic signatures of Chinese submarines. This has raised concerns about potential threats to China's national security and resource development rights, particularly regarding offshore oil and gas deposits.
In response to these threats, the Chinese government has instructed marine researchers to conduct thorough security checks on equipment provided by foreign entities. They are advised to be vigilant for any potential data-sharing backdoors that could compromise sensitive information. The ministry also cautioned ship owners against purchasing equipment from unfamiliar vendors, emphasizing the need for caution in the face of potential espionage.
While China has not attributed these activities to any specific country, the allegations reflect a growing concern over maritime espionage. The U.S. Navy has a long history of using marine animals, such as dolphins and sea lions, for various military purposes, including mine detection and guarding against underwater threats. Similarly, in 2023, British intelligence reported that Russia had deployed trained dolphins to enhance security at its naval base in Sevastopol, Crimea. Reports from Chinese media suggest that fishermen could earn significant sums for recovering suspected surveillance devices, further highlighting the intersection of wildlife and espionage in modern maritime conflicts.
