Chinese spy balloon incursion reveals past US intelligence failings
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Australia to Remove Chinese War Memorial Cameras Amid Security Concerns
Last updated Feb 10, 2023
Image credit: AP [via SCMP]Facts
- Australia announced on Thursday that it would locate and remove at least 900 items identified as surveillance equipment from more than 200 defense government sites in order to make them "completely secure." The news came after it emerged the equipment — manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua — had sparked security concerns.[1]
- Senator James Paterson of the Liberal Party conducted the audit that identified concerns over the Chinese-made equipment. In a radio interview, Paterson said: "These companies have a very close relationship with the Chinese Communist Party, and they are subject to China's National Intelligence laws, which require all Chinese companies and individuals to secretly cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies if requested."[2]
- In response to the Defense Minister's actions, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized "wrongful practices that overstretch the concept of national security." She also critiqued the use of state power in suppressing and discriminating "against Chinese enterprises."[3]
- Australia's move follows similar actions taken by both the US and the UK. In 2018, when the US Congress amended the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Vicky Hartzler said, "we must face the reality that the Chinese-government is using every avenue at its disposal to target the United States."[4]
- In a press conference on Thursday, Australian PM Anthony Albanese stated that he has no concerns regarding retaliatory actions that China might make as a result of the surveillance device removals.[5]
Spin
Anti-China narrative
The Australian authorities are wise to act on their security concerns over Chinese spyware given the nation's recent infractions on US security. The spy balloon fiasco not only illustrated the prevalence of Beijing's attempts to intercept communications and learn more about the functioning of US weapons systems, but it also revealed past failures in US intelligence. This is a prudent decision by Australian officials.
Pro-China narrative
This is the just the latest indicator that Australia has become a proxy in the US's war on China. Having already established a significant military footprint in Australia, Washington is now using the country as a tool in its pursuit of hegemony on the international economic and military stages. The Australian government should see beyond this charade and realize that their position as an 'ally' of the States does not mean they aren't disposable in the US's tirade against China's growing influence.
