US DJI Illustration: Tang Tengfei/Global Times

 

 
A spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce stated on Tuesday that the US is groundlessly suspecting unmanned aerial systems from China and other countries of posing information security risks without any factual basis, which is extremely irresponsible.

This represents a blatant outstretch of the concept of national security and an abuse of state power to suppress the industries of other countries. Such actions will disrupt the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains and harm the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, including those in the US, the spokesperson said.

These comments were made in response to the US Department of Commerce's announcement regarding the launch of a national security risk investigation into the information and communication technology and services of unmanned aerial systems from China and other countries.

MOFCOM expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the announcement. 

"China will closely monitor the development of the situation and urges the US to respect objective facts and immediately stop its wrongful practices," the spokesperson added.

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security announced that it is seeking public comments by March 4 on a rule to "safeguard the information and communication technology and services supply chain for unmanned aircraft systems, or drones," according to an online release.
 

Global Times