U.S. Officials Allege Chinese Cargo Ships Gather Military Intelligence Near U.S. Coastlines
Two senior U.S. officials have informed Reuters that the Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO is allegedly utilizing concealed equipment on its commercial vessels to collect military communications near the coastlines of the U.S. and other countries. These officials claim that COSCO has been supporting Beijing’s intelligence operations for decades, enabling China to intercept signals from ships and aircraft across North America, Europe, and Asia. The onboard systems are described as sophisticated signals intelligence equipment, distinct from standard communication hardware. However, the officials did not specify the technology involved or provide public evidence to substantiate their assessment. The collected data could potentially aid China in analyzing foreign military communications and encryption technologies, monitoring strategic shipping routes, and providing early warnings for potential military targets. COSCO has not commented on these allegations, while the Chinese Embassy in Washington has ... 
