China has dismissed the allegation of spying on the United Kingdom, advising the country's agencies not to “groundlessly” accuse or go after Chinese high-tech firms.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs on Thursday responded to the scrutiny of U.K. companies flying Chinese-manufactured drones over the sites of critical national infrastructure.
A spokesperson in the ministry, Lin Jian, stated that the Chinese government has never asked and will never ask any organization to collect or store data against laws.
“The Chinese side firmly opposes the relevant side’s groundless suspicion and vilification against China which lacks a factual basis,” the official said at a press conference.
Jian told the British authorities to stop turning trade into political and security issues, and make more effort that is conducive to the sound and steady development of China-UK relations.
U.K. government officials reportedly expressed deep concerns about the use of drones developed by Chinese engineers for surveillance of several national locations.
National Grid, the electricity and gas operator, uses drones made by Shenzhen-based SZ DJI Technology to take images, videos, and thermal images of its substations.
The drones are also being used to monitor the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station under construction, while Thames Water uses them to conduct aerial inspection of water lines and reservoirs.
U.K.’s National Protective Security Authority, a security service under the MI5, earlier cautioned companies against deploying drones “manufactured in countries with coercive data sharing practices.”;
The NPSA advised organizations that use unmanned aerial systems to avoid UAS and associated component procurement from nations “which pose a risk to security.”;
