Photo: CCTV

Chinese national security authorities have unveiled the illegal monitoring devices discovered in the country's sea areas, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant against the potential threats from foreign intelligence agencies, as the country's vast maritime areas are not only rich in resources, but also crucial in safeguarding national security, according to China's Ministry of State Security on Thursday.

The foreign intelligence agencies have been using different methods to strengthen their monitoring of China's maritime areas, carrying out a series of intelligence gathering and technical espionage activities, the ministry said in an article released on Thursday.

Among the 10 spy cases disclosed in April, there was one related to illegal monitoring activities conducted in sea areas. 

In September 2018, a ship captain surnamed Yang, who often operates in the waters through the Yellow Sea, salvaged a device consisting of two parts - a black part with complex equipment, marked in foreign language, and a long part with a propeller. Yang ended the operation early and reported the information to the national security authorities immediately after landing. 

The device was identified as a new type of underwater espionage equipment developed by a foreign country. Its design, materials used, manufacturing process, and multiple detection equipment it carried were at the forefront of international standards, which performed at an advanced level. The device can collect various types of hydrological data, which posed a potential threat to China's military security and maritime interests, said the ministry.

Yang and other residents safeguarding national security were rewarded by the national security authorities. 

Li Wei, a researcher and security expert from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations told the Global Times on Thursday that maritime security is of importance to every country as it is closely related to national security. The ocean plays a vital role in human life, and the increasing threats to maritime security are a growing concern for nations worldwide, Li said.

Some foreign hostile forces are conducting espionage activities to gather information on a nation's marine resources involving deploying ocean sensors to collect marine data, monitoring fishing activities or maritime routes. "These actions pose a serious threat to national security, highlighting the importance of regarding maritime security as an important part in safeguarding the national security," Li said.

National security authorities have discovered a variety of hidden illegal monitoring devices, referred to as "ocean spies," operating in the country's waters, said the ministry.

These devices represent advanced technology, have complex and powerful functions, are highly integrated, including being equipped with self-destruct capabilities. Some operate as "silent sentinels," gathering oceanographic and ship activity data to support battlefield environment preset. Others monitor real-time conditions in the sea, while some work as "underwater lighthouses," guiding foreign submarines when entering China's waters, according to the ministry.

National security authorities called on residents to report any suspicious devices, and cooperate with the authorities to enhance the ability to identify and prevent foreign espionage activities.