"Chinese-made Container Cranes Pose Risk of Being Used as Spy Tools"

WSJ Reports Citing US Defense Department Official: "Concerns Over US Military Supplies Surveillance Using Location Tracking Sensors"

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) exclusively reported that the U.S. government is taking measures after concerns were raised within the U.S. Department of Defense that Chinese-made container cranes could be used as spy tools. It is pointed out that location-tracking sensors installed on these containers could be used to monitor the movement routes of U.S. military logistics supplies. The Chinese government is reportedly protesting, claiming that the U.S. is making baseless accusations following the reconnaissance balloon incident.

[Image source=China ZPMC official website]

On the 5th (local time), WSJ cited a senior U.S. Department of Defense official saying, "Cranes made by China's ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.) are relatively well-made and inexpensive, but they include sophisticated sensors that register and track the origin and destination of containers, which could be used to monitor the movement information of military logistics supplies supporting U.S. military operations." The official added, "This could be a Trojan horse and could become the next Huawei."

According to WSJ, U.S. national security experts have long warned that not only Chinese-made container cranes but also Chinese-made baggage inspection systems, transformers, and various other Chinese products used at ports could be exploited as surveillance tools by China. Some have raised concerns that certain equipment can be remotely controlled if necessary, posing risks of disrupting U.S. logistics.

Especially after the Chinese reconnaissance balloon was shot down in U.S. airspace last month, U.S. security authorities have strengthened security inspections on electronic products and equipment imported from China. However, in the case of the ZPMC cranes, it has not been disclosed whether any actual spying activities have been detected.

ZPMC controls 70% of the global container crane market, with cranes from the company installed in over 100 countries. WSJ pointed out that in the U.S., more than 80% of all ship and maritime container cranes are made by ZPMC.

Recently, as ports near U.S. military bases in Virginia, South Carolina, and Maryland purchased new ZPMC cranes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) expressed concerns, WSJ reported. It is known that in 2021, the FBI discovered information-gathering equipment on some ZPMC cranes.

Since the reconnaissance balloon controversy has already become a major issue in U.S. politics, there is a possibility that sanctions against ZPMC cranes will also be actively pursued in the future. Carlos Jimenez (Republican, Florida), a member of the House of Representatives, introduced a bill last year to ban the purchase of Chinese-made cranes and encourage the use of products from other countries.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government strongly opposes the U.S. allegations, calling them baseless. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. told WSJ, "The U.S. concerns are a paranoid attempt to hinder trade and economic cooperation with China," warning that "this is irresponsible and could also harm U.S. interests." ZPMC reportedly did not respond to WSJ's request for comment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.