US Claims Chinese Shipping Giant COSCO Were Used to Monitor Military Communications
What Happened
US officials have alleged that Chinese state-owned shipping giant COSCO uses concealed equipment on some of its vessels to collect military communication signals and intelligence from ships and aircraft operating near key coastlines and shipping routes. The US says the information could help Beijing monitor military communications, encryption developments and strategic maritime corridors. China has strongly denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
Key Takeaways
The allegations add a new security dimension to the US-China rivalry, potentially increasing scrutiny of Chinese commercial shipping operations worldwide. The issue could also feature in upcoming discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping amid broader tensions over trade, technology and security.