The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an organization that includes members of parliament from 6 Western Balkan countries and aims to maintain high vigilance against Chinese interference in democratic countries, raises deep concern about the growth of Chinese surveillance technology throughout our region.
In a special statement, citizens are urged to be careful because the use of Chinese surveillance technology poses a clear and immediate threat to our national security, writes A2 CNN. "Chinese companies are under legal obligation to share sensitive data of our voters upon request. Furthermore, the presence of security vulnerabilities in Chinese technology increases the risks of our exposure to cybercrime."
“To fully reap the benefits of smart city initiatives, citizens’ sensitive data must be fully protected. Whether you are parking in a public place, charging your phone at a municipal solar station or buying a train ticket, the protection of personal information from third parties is essential and citizens should not only be responsible for performing due diligence on the technology that surrounds them,” said Sanela Klaric, MEP (Bosnia and Herzegovina), co-chair of IPAC.
The rapid modernization of digital infrastructure across the region has created an opportunity for foreign actors to attack the privacy of all our citizens. Albanian MP Fatmir Mediu, co-chair of the organization in the region, emphasized that data is power and China knows this very well as there surveillance systems enable complete control over the lives of citizens. “The expansion of Chinese technology in other countries potentially enables the collection of information that can provide an accurate picture of the state of border security, economic resilience, emergency preparedness or healthcare. Our public procurement system must eliminate the presence of Chinese surveillance technology in public places,” Mediu emphasizes.
Meanwhile, North Macedonian MP Fatmir Bytyqi did not call China's intentions to influence other countries through technology anything new. "To increase technological independence from China, at least in our strategic infrastructure, regional cooperation is a must. Closer cooperation and knowledge exchange with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, as well as with regional neighbors, can help us improve our procurement policy and rapid response mechanisms," Bytyqi said.
There are several moments where MPs, within the framework of the inter-parliamentary alliance against China, demand a state of alert from the governments of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia:
● Ensure that public procurement legislation limits the presence of Chinese surveillance technology in public places.
● Enable municipal bodies to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and increase the security of their data collection.
● Cooperation within the region on a plan for greater integration of the Western Balkan countries in the activities of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity.
● Introducing a clear legislative framework for biometric surveillance in public places.
The statement calls on countries to review any agreements with Chinese private or public companies that allow access to municipal data networks, including educational institutions and other public spaces.
Signatories of the declaration:
Mimi Kodheli, Albania
Fatmir Mediu, Albania
Dhurata Çupi, Albania
Blerina Gjylameti, Albania
Bradhyl Kollçaku, Albania
Sanela Klarić, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Adi Kalem, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Avdullah Hoti, Kosovo
Andrija Nikolic, Montenegro
Jevrosima Pejović, Mali i Z
Fatmir Bytyqi, North Macedonia
Rashela Mizrahi, North Macedonia
Dobrica Veselinovic, Serbia
Ksenija Marković, Serbia (A2 Televizion)