China‘s Ministry of State Security announced on Tuesday that it has recovered surveillance devices located both on the ocean’s surface and beneath the waves, including underwater “lighthouses” designed to assist in the navigation of foreign submarines.

The ministry reported that it had discovered devices concealed on the seabed that were transmitting data capable of “pre-setting the field for battle,” as stated in an article on its official WeChat account, the most widely used social media platform in China.

Recent confrontations at sea and in the air between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, a region marked by competing territorial claims, have heightened the potential for escalation, which could involve the United States due to its treaty obligations to defend the Philippines in the event of an attack. Additionally, China has conducted military exercises around Taiwan, simulating attacks and the deployment of naval and aerial forces, which has drawn criticism from both Taiwan’s government and the United States.

National security forces have confiscated various specialized technical devices intended for surveillance of marine information and data, concealed within the expansive sea, according to the state security ministry, which did not disclose the specific location of the discovery.

“Some of these devices function like ‘covert agents,’ drifting with the currents and providing real-time monitoring of activities in our territorial waters. Others serve as underwater ‘lighthouses,’ guiding foreign submarines that have intruded into our waters.”

China asserts its claim over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, which overlaps with claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Additionally, Beijing has stated that it will not abandon the option of using force regarding Taiwan, which contests China’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only its citizens can determine their future.

Analysts indicate that a submarine arms race is escalating between China and the United States along with its allies, with Beijing expected to deploy a new generation of nuclear-powered and armed submarines by the end of the decade.

The ministry stated that it is confronting a significant and complex covert challenge regarding deep-sea security, alongside the genuine risks posed by foreign espionage and intelligence operations. It will resolutely uphold China’s sovereignty, security, and developmental interests while playing a vital role in the establishment of a robust maritime nation.