Published：Jun 11, 16:00Last updated：Jun 12, 15:22

China Warns of Spy Turtles and Fish in Maritime Espionage

Jun. 11, 2026 16:00

China's Ministry of State Security has warned about foreign spies using advanced devices like 'spy turtles and fish' to collect sensitive marine data. These devices, often disguised as marine research equipment, pose a significant threat to national security. The ministry urged the public to report any suspicious activities to help safeguard China's maritime interests.

Summarized

8News

6Media

Jun. 12, 2026 15:19

Chinese authorities discovered turtles and fish with attached sensors in its maritime areas. The sensors collected sensitive environmental data and transmitted it abroad via satellite. The Ministry of State Security reported that foreign intelligence services used these devices to gather marine data.

Jun. 12, 2026 15:22

China accused foreign intelligence services on Friday, June 12, of deploying turtles to spy in its waters. Beijing claims these shelled reptiles are being used to collect sensitive data and map its seabed. The allegations highlight growing tensions over maritime surveillance activities in the region.

China's Ministry of State Security has raised alarms about sophisticated espionage tactics involving marine animals and disguised equipment to collect sensitive oceanographic data. The ministry revealed that foreign intelligence agencies are deploying turtles, fish, and buoys equipped with advanced sensors to monitor Chinese waters, posing significant threats to military and economic security.

🕵️‍♂️ Unconventional Espionage Tactics

Foreign operatives have been attaching sensors to marine creatures like turtles and fish, transforming them into living surveillance devices. These animals naturally traverse restricted maritime zones while collecting data on water temperature, currents, and submarine acoustic signatures. The ministry specifically warned about the risk of潜艇声纹泄露 (submarine acoustic fingerprint leakage), which could compromise naval operations.

🌊 Threats to Maritime Security

The discovered devices include:

Floating buoys camouflaged as research equipment
Underwater drones mimicking marine life
Satellite-linked sensors on migratory species
These tools create comprehensive seabed maps and monitor ship movements, potentially exposing China's territorial defenses and economic activities like underwater cable routes.

🚨 National Security Response

Authorities have implemented:

Public awareness campaigns urging citizens to report suspicious marine devices
Enhanced coastal surveillance for anomalous animal behavior
Stricter vetting of international marine research collaborations
The ministry emphasized that such data collection constitutes "an invisible secret war" threatening China's sovereignty and resource security.
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