US Leaders Urge Virginia to Stop Using Chinese Drones Due to Security Risks
The leadership of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (SCCCP) has called on the Virginia government to stop using Chinese drones, which they believe pose intelligence threats. The SCCCP specifically requested Congresspeople John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi to take action, as many government personnel, including the CIA and the Director of National Intelligence, are based in Fairfax County.
In a post on X, the SCCCP stated, “Rep. John Moolenaar, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Fairfax County must cease using Chinese military-linked DJI Global drones that pose an espionage risk. Fairfax County is home to the CIA, the Director of National Intelligence, and numerous government personnel.”
The committee chairman’s letter urged Fairfax County to reconsider its use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) made in or owned by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The letter emphasized the threats posed by PRC-made drones to national and economic security, identifying companies like Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd. (DJI/R) and Autel Robotics as entities of concern.
Over the years, the US government has taken steps to address these security concerns. This includes a January 2024 report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI on PRC-made drone technology. The committee also referenced a 2017 Department of Homeland Security bulletin that raised concerns about DJI transmitting sensitive US data to the Chinese government.
In December 2020, the Department of Commerce placed DJI on its “Entity List” for aiding China’s human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region. The Department of Defence and the Department of the Treasury have also identified DJI as a national security threat, adding it to their sanctions list.
As of May 2023, seven states have grounded their fleets of PRC-related UAS and banned future procurement due to concerns about data being sent back to the PRC. Fairfax County currently operates a mixed fleet of UAS for public safety, emergency services, and the fire department. However, the use of China-made UAS platforms raises concerns about the security of high-resolution imagery and sensitive information.
Doubts Revealed
US Leaders -: These are important people in the United States government who make decisions and give advice on what to do.
Virginia -: Virginia is a state in the United States, just like Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu are states in India.
Chinese Drones -: These are flying machines made in China that can be controlled remotely to take pictures or videos from the sky.
Security Risks -: This means there is a danger that important or secret information could be stolen or misused.
Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party -: This is a group of people in the US government who focus on issues related to China and its ruling party, the Chinese Communist Party.
Fairfax County -: This is a specific area in the state of Virginia, similar to how Mumbai is a part of Maharashtra.
National Security Concerns -: These are worries about keeping a country safe from threats or dangers, especially from other countries.
DJI Global -: This is a company from China that makes drones, which are small flying machines used for taking pictures or videos.
Espionage Risks -: This means there is a chance that someone could use the drones to spy and gather secret information.
Sanctions -: These are punishments or restrictions put on a country or company to stop them from doing something bad.
