Chinese submarines are the targets of US 'aquatic PRISM:' Xinhua

Want ChinaTimes, Staff Reporter 2013-07-07

The USNS Impeccable. (Photo Courtesy of USN)

Edward Snowden and the private information of citizens across the world might not be the only thing the United States is monitoring behind the scenes. China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports that PLA submarines are being closely watched by China's cross-Pacific neighbor.

By providing sensitive information regarding the PRISM surveillance program to Western media, Edward Snowden has damaged the reputation of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency. Not only does PRISM snatch information from the communications of US citizens, but it trespasses on the rights of internet users around the world, if such a right can be claimed.

US intelligence networks are, obviously or not, widespread and not restricted to the public sector. According to Xinhua, every movement of China's submarine fleet — and for that matter, the fleets of submarines around the world's oceans — are monitored by the US, through the deployment five ocean surveillance ships, including USNS Impeccable. All five vessels had been expelled by Chinese maritime surveillance vessels from the territorial waters of China.

A huge surveillance network has been established by the US Navy beneath the waters of East China Sea, South China Sea and the Yellow Sea, reported Xinhua. With any luck, there will be an aquatic version of Edward Snowden to bare the spotlight on this instrusive US monitoring program.