China's research ships used for intel operations – group

China's research ships used for intel operations – group

CHINA is increasingly using research and survey ships to act as proxies for military and intelligence operations, according to Sealight, a maritime transparency initiative monitoring Chinese activities in the South China Sea. "These missions blur the line between legitimate scientific research and covert intelligence gathering or strategic signaling, allowing China to expand its maritime presence while maintaining plausible deniability," said Ju…