Washington: The leadership of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has urged the Virginia government to stop using Chinese drones that pose intelligence threats.
The SCCCP requested Congresspeople John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi to stop using Chinese drones as the CIA, the Director of National Intelligence, and numerous government personnel stay in Fairfax County.
n 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 called on Fairfax County to reconsider its procurement and deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufactured in or owned by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This caution arises from the presence of sensitive national security sites and interests in the area, as well as the threats posed by PRC-made drones.
The letter highlighted that the Select Committee has identified PRC-made drones as a threat to the national and economic security of the United States. Entities of concern include, but are not limited to, Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd. (DJI/R) and Autel Robotics.
Over the years, the Executive Branch and Congress have taken numerous steps to address national security concerns related to the procurement and deployment of PRC drones and to protect sensitive data. This includes the January 2024 Joint CISA and FBI report on PRC-made drone technology.
The committee urged local governments like Fairfax County to seize the opportunity to safeguard residents from these threats. The letter also referenced a 2017 Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin highlighting concerns that DJI was likely transmitting sensitive US data to the Chinese government, raising significant national security concerns.