Cole-Hamilton to lead debate on Chinese state surveillance

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP will lead a parliamentary debate today to urge a comprehensive investigation into the reach of Chinese state surveillance amid revelations about “digital asbestos” CCTV cameras, the uncovering of an alleged secret so-called police station in Glasgow and the intimidation of pro-Hong Kong democracy campaigners in Scotland. 

Scottish Liberal Democrats have previously revealed that at least 11 local authorities use cameras manufactured by the Chinese firm Hikvision. In November, the UK Government Security Group instructed that cameras made by Chinese companies should not be used by any government department because they must cooperate with Beijing’s intelligence services.

Last week, Professor Fraser Sampson, the UK Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Camera Commissioner, said that we should be “at least as concerned about the Chinese cameras 6ft above our head” as Chinese spy balloons, having previously described it as “digital asbestos”. 

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:   

"The existence of a spy balloon over America was a sobering reminder of the kind of influence the Chinese state may seek to bear over countries in which it has expanded and embedded infrastructure. 

“In recent months we’ve learned that companies subject to Chinese state intelligence laws are in the fabric of our CCTV systems, investigators have allegedly uncovered a so-called police station in Glasgow and there has been continued intimidation of pro-Hong Kong democracy campaigners here in Scotland. 

“These events deserve Parliament’s attention which is why I’m leading this debate today. We must stand on the side of human rights and international law. In the near future, we will look back at this time with an understanding that we were living in the early days of a new Cold War. 

“I am calling on both our governments to conduct an immediate strategic audit of the reach of China’s interests and influence in Scotland. I want to see a ban on the sale and use of surveillance equipment manufactured by these Chinese companies and for the Scottish Government to issue its own alert to authorities.”