Reuters: China's COSCO ships used for signals intelligence, US officials say
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Reuters reported that China's COSCO shipping company vessels are being used to collect signals intelligence, citing two unnamed U.S. officials. The U.S. assessment is that COSCO has cooperated with Beijing on intelligence collection for decades. The Chinese embassy in Washington denied the allegations.
Key Facts
- Reuters reported that China's COSCO shipping vessels are being used to collect signals intelligence, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.
- U.S. officials assess that COSCO has cooperated with Beijing on intelligence collection for decades.
- The Chinese embassy in Washington denied the allegations.
- Such systems could allow China to intercept communication signals from ships and aircraft moving in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The Allegations
Reuters reported that China's COSCO shipping company vessels are being used to collect signals intelligence, citing two unnamed U.S. officials. The U.S. assessment is that COSCO has cooperated with Beijing on intelligence collection for decades. The Chinese embassy in Washington denied the allegations.
Technical Capabilities
Such systems could allow China to intercept communication signals from ships and aircraft moving in Europe, North America, and Asia. Specialized signals intelligence equipment can vary in size, structure, and capabilities, ranging from relatively small and simple devices to complex intelligence complexes. Modern large commercial vessels are typically equipped with many antennas, communication, and navigation systems, making it technically possible to place such specialized equipment inconspicuously. Simple passive signals intelligence complexes can operate autonomously, while more complex systems can be remotely controlled from anywhere in the world if the ship is connected to satellite communications.
Data Handling
It is unclear how intelligence collected via ships is subsequently used. Onboard systems may record received data and later deliver it to other centers via physical carriers or communication channels under secure conditions. If ships are equipped with special data transmission channels, collected information can be sent almost in real time to other points of the intelligence network, including centers in China. According to Reuters sources, one of the priority tasks of commercial vessels adapted as intelligence platforms may be collecting information on the development of military communication technologies and encryption tools.
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