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London - In recent days, the UK has faced several security issues related to China. The latest development is the passage of a new law prohibiting the government from using Chinese company CCTV equipment accused of aiding the Chinese government in suppressing Uighurs.
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The UK House of Commons passed the new law on Wednesday, banning the installation of Chinese company CCTV in government buildings and military bases.
The "Procurement Bill" still requires approval in the House of Lords to become law. The UK government has also committed to reporting annually to Parliament on the removal of CCTV, allowing lawmakers to track the progress.
CCTV produced by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua Technology is widely used in the UK, including in government buildings in central London. In June of this year, the Cabinet Office instructed government departments to remove cameras produced and installed by these two companies in sensitive locations.
However, according to Fraser Sampson, the independent surveillance camera commissioner appointed by the UK government, at least one-third of police forces in England and Wales are still using Hikvision cameras, according to a study published in February.
Hikvision and Dahua have been accused of assisting the Chinese government in persecuting Uighurs and were added to the US Entity List in 2019.
"Hikvision and Dahua's UK operations will become history"
A UK government official told The Telegraph that the progress of the bill shows the UK government's serious approach to national security. The government and lawmakers are working together to find positions that will support the protection of the UK's procurement process from malicious actors, ensuring national security.
Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the UK House of Commons, tweeted that the bill will give the UK government legal powers to further strengthen defenses against attempts by malicious states to enter the UK supply chain.
Sam Goodman, Director of the China Strategic Risk Institute operating in the UK, welcomed the latest development. He told Reuters that this law will make Hikvision and Dahua's operations in the UK "a thing of the past."
Hikvision and Dahua have not immediately responded to the latest developments. However, Hikvision previously denied the accusation of being a threat to UK national security, stating that it's cameras comply with UK legal requirements, and the company respects human rights. Dahua has stated that it's operations in the UK have always complied with all laws.
UK Ministers Use TikTok Privately
In addition, UK Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology Michelle Donelan has installed the Chinese social media app TikTok on her private phone.
Donelan told PA Media that, although the UK government prohibits individuals from using TikTok on official devices containing sensitive information for security reasons, there is no issue with using it on personal phones.
She also mentioned that the new Defense Minister, Grant Shapps, also uses TikTok. However, he uses the app installed on one of his staff's phones rather than his own.
A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister's office stated that clear guidelines have been given to them, believing that Shapps and Donelan are using the app "in the right way."
Suspicions of Chinese Espionage
Recently, the China policy sector in the UK has faced another serious issue related to Beijing. A British individual has been accused of acting as a spy for China and infiltrating the UK Parliament, while he maintains his innocence.
In March of this year, the London police arrested two men suspected of violating the Official Secrets Act, including a researcher from the "China Research Group" founded by Tom Tugendhat, a former Conservative Party Security Affairs State Minister. The incident raised concerns about whether security reviews in the UK Parliament are sufficient.