Mysterious boats flying the Chinese flag have been plying Guinean waters undetected by radar in recent months. Some ageing trawlers even dared to come within a few miles of the Mohamed V. presidential palace, while others were careful to keep a safe distance from the coast.

Two industrial fishing vessels, the Bo Yuan 17 and the Bo Yuan 18, anchored at the edge of Guinea's exclusive economic zone for several hours on 17 July, according to our sources. At the same time, The B. Ocean, an imposing tanker