China’s Ministry of State Security has claimed that foreign espionage and intelligence agencies are using new methods to monitor the country’s waters, including deploying spy animals fitted with sensors. Beijing called it an “invisible secret war” that was occurring in the seas around the country.
Per The Guardian, this warning was shared on Chinese platform WeChat on Friday, stating that foreign agencies were collecting sensitive data “through a variety of new spying devices” to produce underwater maps which can “pose a serious threat to national security.” The ministry claimed that large marine animals were being used as part of the espionage techniques, including spy turtles and spy fish, that were found “attached to sensors.”
They alleged that the data being collected included “sensitive marine environment data such as water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents in real time, and transmitting them overseas via satellite.” The Guardian noted the ministry didn’t provide specific details regarding where these animals were found or who might have equipped them with such technology.
While it sounds like something out of a movie, there is historical precedent for this
According to the Guardian, in 2023, British intelligence reported that Russia was stepping up security at its Sevastopol Black Sea fleet base by deploying trained dolphins. The UK defence intelligence agency had found that Russia had trained bottlenose dolphins, which were being kept in floating pens in the harbour, to “counter enemy divers.”
China’s state security ministry also reported finding buoys “deployed by an overseas marine research institute.” These were “equipped with a meteorological sensor package” that allowed them to track the acoustic signatures of Chinese submarines in real time.
Per the outlet, the ministry also cited a new type of “wave glider,” which is powered by wave motion and solar energy. The ministry stated that these gliders were being deployed by foreign actors to transmit “military-related maritime environmental data and information on vessel activities.”
It is important to note that according to The Guardian, China frequently reports espionage efforts in its nearby waters, such as the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. These areas are reportedly some of the most militarily sensitive and heavily contested regions in the world.
In 2024, the government claimed it had identified “lighthouses” hidden on the ocean floor that could guide the foreign submarines to “pre-set the field for battle.” To combat these activities, the government has reportedly offered fishers financial rewards ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan for uncovering spying devices in its waters.
According to the South China Morning Post, mainland Chinese maritime authorities also reported detecting what appeared to be Japanese surveillance aircraft southeast of Taiwan. They claimed that two fixed-wing aircraft, which appeared to belong to the Japan Coast Guard, were spotted during a patrol.
Military expert Fu Qianshao noted that both planes were likely medium or small-sized crewed electronic reconnaissance aircraft designed to carry out electronic surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions. Beijing has been strengthening patrols in this region, particularly in response to maritime border talks between Japan and the Philippines.
Additionally, according to CBS, China recently arrested an American citizen for alleged espionage. The man was identified as U Min Zin, a political analyst for a policy think tank focused on Myanmar. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed the arrest, stating that authorities are holding him on suspicion of engaging in espionage and endangering China’s national security.
The US State Department told CBS News, “We are aware of reports regarding a U.S. citizen detained in China,” and added, “Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained, we work to provide the appropriate consular assistance.” Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told CBS News that U Min Zin’s “legitimate rights have been fully guaranteed.”
The arrest occurred only a few weeks after President Trump attended a summit in Beijing with China’s President Xi Jinping. During that visit, President Trump called it an “incredible visit” and said, “a lot of good has come of it.”
Despite the visit being praised, the FBI recently put out a warning that the Chinese Military Intelligence Services are using fake online job advertisements to recruit spies. Additionally, a Mayor in California stepped down after admitting that she acted as an illegal agent for China.
Published: Jun 15, 2026 08:27 am