UK Security Concerns Raised Over Chinese-Made Vehicle Components
An article warns that Chinese-made parts in critical infrastructure, including police vehicles and buses, pose a national security risk due to potential remote disabling capabilities.
Concerns have been raised regarding the national security implications of Chinese-made components in vehicles, including those used by law enforcement and public transportation in the UK. The argument posits that these components, particularly cellular modules and batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles, are constantly communicating with Beijing.
According to reports, the Metropolitan Police's fleet of 1,600 electric and hybrid vehicles utilize Chinese batteries and cellular modules. Similarly, buses manufactured by BYD, a Chinese company, are equipped with navigation and communication devices that update software and control electronic engines. These systems, it is argued, cannot be switched off.
An example cited involves a Chinese Yutong bus used by Norway's bus company Ruter. When parked deep underground in a disused mine, reportedly shielded from external signals, the bus's battery and power controls still attempted to communicate with Beijing. Furthermore, software updates for these components are reportedly not optional and are integral to maintenance, including preventing overheating and potential fires. The author suggests these updates are also part of an "architecture of Chinese control."
It is suggested that China, under Xi Jinping, could potentially disable critical infrastructure like police cars, buses, and ambulances remotely. This capability, even if not exercised, could be used as leverage in negotiations. The article draws a parallel to a power outage in San Francisco that left driverless taxis immobilized across intersections, noting that Uber is reportedly working with China's Baidu to introduce similar vehicles in London.
The author criticizes the UK government's approach, highlighting the decision to order Chinese-made BYD buses for London as an example of "green zealotry" overriding security considerations. The piece argues that trade and defense are interconnected and that a failure to recognize this poses a vulnerability. The article concludes by stating that a nation unable to trust its own police cars or a government that does not thoroughly examine its technology cannot be considered secure.