AP

Australian Defense Department to remove Chinese-made cameras

Feb 8, 2023, 3:55 AM | Updated: Feb 9, 2023, 12:41 am

This shows a Chinese Dahua brand security camera in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Aust...

This shows a Chinese Dahua brand security camera in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Australia's Defense Department said Thursday that they will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings, the government said Thursday after the U.S. and Britain made similar moves.

The Australian newspaper reported Thursday that at least 913 cameras, intercoms, electronic entry systems and video recorders developed and manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua are in Australian government and agency offices, including the Defense Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Hikvision and Dahua are partly owned by China’s Communist Party-ruled government.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said his department is assessing all its surveillance technology.

“Where those particular cameras are found, they’re going to be removed,” Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “There is an issue here and we’re going to deal with it.”

Asked about Australia’s decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized what she called “wrongful practices that overstretch the concept of national security and abuse state power to suppress and discriminate against Chinese enterprises.”

Without mentioning Australia by name, Mao said the Chinese government has “always encouraged Chinese enterprises to carry out foreign investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles and international rules, and on the basis of compliance with local laws.”

“We hope Australia will provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese enterprises and do more things that are conducive to mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides,” she told reporters at a daily briefing.

The U.S. government said in November it was banning telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from several prominent Chinese brands including Hikvision and Dahua in an effort to protect the nation’s communications network.

Security cameras made by Hikvision were also banned from British government buildings in November.

An audit in Australia found that Hikvision and Dahua cameras and security equipment were found in almost every department except the Agriculture Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Australian War Memorial and National Disability Insurance Agency have said they will remove the Chinese cameras found at their sites, the ABC reported.

Opposition cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson said he had prompted the audit by asking questions over six months of each federal agency, after the Home Affairs Department was unable to say how many of the cameras, access control systems and intercoms were installed in government buildings.

“We urgently need a plan from the … government to rip every one of these devices out of Australian government departments and agencies,” Paterson said.

Both companies are subject to China’s National Intelligence Law which requires them to cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies, he said.

“We would have no way of knowing if the sensitive information, images and audio collected by these devices are secretly being sent back to China against the interests of Australian citizens,” Paterson said.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

putin election...

Emma Burrows and Dasha Litvinova, The Associated Press

Putin extends rule in preordained Russian election after harshest crackdown since Soviet era

With nearly all the precincts counted Monday, election officials said Putin had secured a record number of votes.

12 hours ago

Photo: An official walks toward an entrance to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Cali...

Associated Press

Judge appoints special master to oversee California federal women’s prison after rampant abuse

A judge on Friday appointed a special master to oversee a troubled federal women’s prison in California known for rampant sexual abuse.

3 days ago

photo: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, left, and prosecutor Daysha Young speak to each...

Kate Brumback and Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press

Prosecutor leaves Georgia election case against Trump after relationship with district attorney

A prosecutor who had a relationship with an attorney formally withdrew Friday from the Georgia election interference case against Trump.

3 days ago

Image: Public defender Drew Flood with the nonprofit law firm Metropolitan Public Defender looks ov...

Associated Press

Washington State Bar Association OKs far lower caseloads for public defenders

The Bar approved the limits in an effort to stop the lawyers from quitting and to make sure they have enough time to represent each client.

5 days ago

Image: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks rally at Coastal ...

The MyNorthwest staff with wire reports

Washington pushes Trump over the top in GOP delegate count after presidential primary

After Tuesday's presidential primary, Washington, unofficially, put Donald Trump over the top to secure the Republican nomination again.

6 days ago

Image: This combo image shows President Joe Biden, left, Jan. 5, 2024 and Republican presidential c...

Associated Press

Biden, Trump win Washington presidential primaries, clinch parties’ nominations

Biden overcame concerns about his leadership as the presidential contest shifts to a general election rematch that many voters do not want.

6 days ago

Australian Defense Department to remove Chinese-made cameras