If you've ever stood at a bustling U.S. port, you've undoubtedly seen them: the colossal COSCO cargo ships, towering and laden with what appears to be an impossible quantity of shipping containers. For too long, many Americans might have innocently believed these vessels were simply delivering consumer goods, a benign part of global commerce.
But the truth is far more sinister. COSCO, a company directly operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and even listed by the Pentagon as a Chinese military entity, is now accused by three vigilant GOP lawmakers of actively operating its fleet as sophisticated spy platforms along America's coastlines, collecting sensitive signals communications.
House China Committee Chairman John Moolenaar (MI-2), House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1), and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), who chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, have issued a stark warning. In a direct letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, these conservative champions detailed the extensive espionage activities and urgently demanded that the U.S. revoke the inexplicable "special privileges" currently granted to COSCO's vessels.
COSCO, a Chinese-military company and one of the world’s largest shippers, is using its vessels to conduct espionage operations near U.S. coastlines.
Select Committee Chairman @RepMoolenaar, @RepRickCrawford, and @RepCarlos sent a letter to @DHSGov Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging him to review and revoke COSCO Shipping’s privileges of receiving fewer inspections at American ports.
Alarmingly, Reuters previously reported on these spying allegations in September. Yet, these CCP-linked ships continue to benefit from the Coast Guard's Qualship 21 program, which reduces the frequency of inspections for supposedly "trusted" commercial operators. The very notion that a Chinese military company should receive such favorable treatment in American ports is an affront to national security and common sense.
Prominent political analyst and China Hawk, Gordon Chang, didn't mince words, suggesting that merely ending favorable treatment isn't enough; more decisive action is needed to confront this blatant aggression.
GOP Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-10) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the gravity of the threat.
The Reuters story, citing two senior Trump administration officials, laid bare the scale of COSCO's nefarious activities:
The advanced equipment aboard the ships is intended to enable China to gather information about "military communications technologies and encryption developments," one of the officials said.
The effort also allows Beijing to monitor key shipping lanes and maritime routes crucial for trade and military navigation, the official added.
COSCO did not respond to a request for comment, while China's embassy in Washington rejected the U.S. claims.
These officials further clarified that COSCO vessels are not merely equipped with standard communication gear, but rather boast "sophisticated signals intelligence collection" platforms. This isn't about shipping cargo; it's about systematically undermining American national security, collecting vital intelligence on our military and economic infrastructure.
It's a stark reminder: when those massive ships glide into our ports, don't just see the goods they supposedly carry. Recognize them as potential instruments of a hostile foreign power. It's time for the Biden administration to heed the warnings of these America First lawmakers, revoke privileges, and stand firm against the CCP's brazen attempts to spy on our nation, protecting our sovereignty and security.
