Chinese shipper COSCO collects intel for Beijing with concealed equipment, US officials say
Two senior U.S. officials said COSCO ships use concealed equipment to collect military communications and encryption data for Beijing.
- On Tuesday, two senior officials stated China's state-owned shipping giant COSCO uses concealed equipment to spy on military communications near U.S. coastlines, collecting signals across Europe, North America and Asia.
- The officials said COSCO operates as part of a decades-long partnership with Beijing, with the PLA previously linked to commercial fleet surveillance to monitor maritime routes and bolster territorial claims.
- Advanced equipment is intended to gather data on "military communications technologies and encryption developments." Isaac Kardon, expert at Advanced International Studies, warned removing COSCO would be "life-threatening surgery" to U.S. trade networks.
- China's embassy rejected the allegations, with spokesperson Liu Chang calling the "intelligence collection" narrative "totally baseless." The Pentagon designated COSCO as linked to China's military in January 2025, carrying reputational costs.
- President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Jinping plan to meet in Washington later this month to discuss sensitive security and trade issues following a year-long trade war détente.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Reformatorisch Dagblad
welingelichtekringen.nlThe Chinese shipping company COSCO uses covert equipment on board its ships to eavesdrop on military communications near the coasts of targets, including the United States. Two high-ranking Trump administration officials told Reuters that the Chinese state-owned company has been gathering intelligence for the Chinese government for decades.
Chinese shipper COSCO collects intel for Beijing with concealed equipment, US officials say
WASHINGTON, Sept 1 - China's state-owned shipping giant COSCO uses concealed equipment on board its ships to spy on military communications near the coastlines of target nations including the U.S., two senior Trump administration officials said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
WASHINGTON (ANP/RTR) - Chinese shipping company COSCO is using hidden equipment aboard its ships to eavesdrop on military communications near the shores of targets, including the United States. That's what two senior Trump administration officials told Reute news agency...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
