China says ‘spy turtles’ are snooping in its waters

(NewsNation) — China has alleged marine life is being weaponized by foreign intelligence agencies for espionage.

China’s Ministry of State Security released an article Friday on social media platform WeChat, saying an “invisible secret war” is ongoing.

“In recent years, the work of national security organs has found that overseas spy intelligence agencies continue to collect and steal sensitive data from our ocean through a variety of new spy devices,” the ministry said.

The article named a variety of measures allegedly taken by foreign agencies to collect information, such as buoys, unmanned submarines, wave gliders and marine life.

“Spy turtles” and “spy fish” are existing in the China sea, according to the ministry.

“Large living marine animals are hung with sensors, swimming in specific areas, collecting sensitive data on the nearby water temperature, salinity, ocean currents and other marine environment in real time, and transmitting them abroad through satellites,” they said.

The ministry urged citizens to assist in the protection of Chinese waters, stating “maintaining maritime security requires everyone to protect it together.”