China Seizes Underwater Surveillance Devices Linked to Foreign Submarine Espionage
On Tuesday, China’s National Security Ministry announced the seizure of a range of surveillance devices scattered across the ocean’s surface and depths, including underwater “beacons” believed to be aimed at tracking foreign submarines.
In a statement released via the ministry’s official account on the Chinese messaging app WeChat, it was reported that these devices had been collecting sensitive data from the local marine environment, which the ministry described as “preparing the battlefield” for potential conflict.
The statement further revealed that some of these aquatic devices operate in a “stealthy” manner, functioning like secret agents in the sea. They drift with the currents and continuously monitor the state of China’s territorial waters, transmitting data in real-time.
Additionally, the ministry noted another type of device—subsurface “beacons” that guide foreign submarines through Chinese waters, making them effective logistical support tools for intruding subs.
While the National Security Ministry did not disclose the specific locations where these devices were discovered or how they were detected, it emphasized that they are part of “concerning maritime espionage activities” intended to bolster surveillance and infiltration operations in the region.
