US Accuses China of Espionage: Facts

China's state-owned Cosco company operates commercial ships equipped with special devices used for espionage purposes. This information was reported by Reuters, citing senior officials from the US government.

According to sources, these ships are used to intercept communications of military aircraft and naval vessels in certain coastal areas. The specialized technical platforms allow Beijing to gather information about new developments in military communication systems and encryption technologies. Additionally, the system enables monitoring of major maritime routes of commercial and military significance.

The Chinese embassy in Washington has denied these allegations, and Cosco has yet to provide an official comment. The US Department of Defense included Cosco on its list of organizations linked to the Chinese military at the beginning of 2025.

These allegations of espionage come against the backdrop of scheduled negotiations between the leaders of the two countries, where security issues are set to be discussed at a meeting in Washington at the end of September. Cosco's vessels frequently operate in ports across the US, Asia, and Europe, with the company also holding a stake in the Hamburg port terminal.