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In the tense waters separating China and Taiwan, a strange new game of deception is unfolding. Chinese vessels, often simple fishing boats, are using technology to electronically disguise themselves as something else entirely—in one recent case, even a Russian warshipThis isn’t a random prank; it’s a calculated strategy known as “cognitive warfare,” designed to test Taiwan’s defenses and create confusion without ever firing a shot.

The method is called Automatic Identification System (AIS) spoofing.The AIS is a standard maritime tracking system that lets ships broadcast their identity and location to avoid collisions and maintain order. But China is allegedly turning this safety tool into a strategic weapon. In September, a Chinese fishing boat named Min Shi Yu 07792 was detected broadcasting the identity of “Russian Warship 532” while in Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Over the past few months, other fishing boats have been caught sending out false signals, with one pretending to be a Chinese law enforcement vessel. The fact that multiple boats with similar names were all manipulating their signals in the same area at the same time suggests this is a coordinated effort.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War believe these tactics have two main goals. First, they allow China to probe Taiwan’s reactions. By sending a variety of “ghost ships” into sensitive waters, they can carefully measure how quickly Taiwan’s military and coast guard respond, gathering valuable intelligence. Second, this is meant to disrupt and confuse Taiwan’s defense authorities. The constant need to identify and respond to what turn out to be false alarms can wear down readiness and potentially slow reactions to a real threat.

These fishing vessels are thought to be part of China’s Maritime Militia, a force of civilian-looking ships that China uses for “gray zone” operations.These are aggressive actions that stop just short of declared war, designed to harass and intimidate. By using fishing boats, China maintains a level of deniability while still asserting its presence and testing boundaries. This strategy is part of a broader push by Beijing that includes regular air force incursions, all aimed at creating constant pressure on Taiwan and undermining its defenses.

Read More: China’s New Maritime Pressure Tactic: Ghost Ships in the Taiwan Strait