China claims foreign spies use 'turtle spies' and 'fish spies' to monitor its waters
China's Ministry of State Security has accused foreign intelligence agencies of deploying animals fitted with sensors to collect marine data, posing a threat to national security.
Allegations of Animal Espionage
In a WeChat post on Friday, China's Ministry of State Security warned of an "invisible secret war" unfolding in the seas around China. It claimed foreign agencies are using innovative spying devices, including large marine animals such as "spy turtles" and "spy fish" found with attached sensors. These animals allegedly collect real-time data on water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents, transmitting it overseas via satellite.
Previous Incidents
Claims of marine animals used for espionage are not new. In 2023, British intelligence reported that Russia was using trained dolphins to protect its Sevastopol Black Sea fleet base in occupied Crimea. The dolphins, kept in floating pens, were trained to counter enemy divers.
Other Espionage Techniques
The ministry also reported finding buoys deployed by an "overseas marine research institute," equipped with meteorological sensors capable of tracking the acoustic signatures of Chinese submarines in real time. Additionally, it cited a new type of "wave glider" powered by wave motion and solar energy, used by foreign actors to transmit military-related maritime environmental data and information on vessel activities.
Context and Rewards
China regularly makes espionage claims in its nearby waters, including the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait—among the most militarily sensitive and contested areas globally. In 2024, it claimed to have identified "lighthouses" hidden on the ocean floor that could guide foreign submarines. According to Chinese media, the government offers fishermen financial rewards ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan (approximately £5,500 to £55,000) for uncovering spying devices in its waters.
