China claims 'spy sea turtles' are studying its coastline
Euronews • • world
Key Points:
- China accused foreign governments of using sea turtles and fish equipped with sensors to collect underwater data along its coastline, alleging this espionage aims to map sensitive marine environments and steal national security information.
- The Ministry of State Security claimed these marine animals gather data on water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents, transmitting it overseas via satellite, potentially exposing vulnerabilities in China's coastal defenses.
- Although no specific countries or agencies were named, China urged stricter security checks on imported equipment and requested fishermen report any unusual devices found at sea.
- The accusation comes amid ongoing espionage tensions, with recent incidents including spying charges and arrests in the UK, Germany, France, and Greece involving alleged Chinese intelligence activities.
- China has condemned foreign espionage allegations against it, labeling some prosecutions as politically motivated while continuing to highlight threats to its national security.