A group of 11
lawmakers of the US House of Representatives appealed to the
to investigate and potentially impose sanctions on
Chinese drone manufacturer Autel Robotics, citing national security concerns.
of national security. This is reported by UNN, citing Reuters.
Details
In a letter,
signed by the chairman of the House Committee on China, Republican
Mike Gallagher and the group's top Democrat, Raja Krishnamurthy, contains
a request to the Departments of Commerce, Defense and Treasury to investigate the activities of
of Autel Robotics, whose parent company is Autel Intelligent
Technology.
The congressmen
note that Autel Robotics is allegedly openly linked to the People's Liberation Army of China
Army of China and poses a direct threat to US national security. Among the
aspects of the danger are the purchase and operation of Autel drones by local
law enforcement and government agencies, potentially exposing
confidential data across the country.
The Pentagon said it would respond to the lawmakers' letter.
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Addendum
In 2019
Congress banned the Pentagon from purchasing or using drones and
components made in China.
In 2020
the Department of Commerce imposed export restrictions on Chinese drone manufacturer
DJI, accusing it of complicity in the oppression of China's Uighur minority and
and aiding the military.
Lawmakers
asked whether similar restrictions should be applied to
Autel, citing concerns that the company's technology was used in
Xinjiang, and that the company "further appears to potentially
support for Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine."
It is also
noted that in November, Gallagher and Krishnamurthy introduced a bill
that would prohibit the US government from purchasing any Chinese drones.
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