US military bans Chinese-made BYD vehicles from Okinawa air base

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 03:14 · Archive

The US military has banned Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD's cars from Kadena airbase in Okinawa over security concerns.

The US military has banned all vehicles made by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD from Kadena airbase, one of America's biggest overseas military facilities, located on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. The ban took effect this week and applies to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles. Security personnel at the base's gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles and direct drivers to turn around.

Lieutenant Colonel Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the US air force 18th Wing at Kadena, said in a statement that the vehicles 'present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission'. The move reflects US concerns about potential information leaks via vehicle-mounted technologies such as cameras, sensors and GPS devices. Kadena hosts some of America's most advanced military equipment, including the Typhon missile system and various fighter planes used for surveillance and reconnaissance.

The ban has fueled speculation that similar measures could be taken at other US military facilities as part of Washington's broader crackdown on Chinese technology suspected of being used to collect sensitive information.

How it is being reported

• US bans vehicles from China’s BYD at Japan military base, calling them ‘unacceptable’ riskUS military says the restrictions on the electric vehicles at Kadena airbase also apply to delivery drivers and taxis One of America’s biggest overseas military bases has banned vehicles made by the Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD over security concerns, the US military in Japan said on Tuesday. The ban, which went into effect this week at Kadena airbase on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa , has fueled speculation that similar measures could be taken at other US military facilities as part of Washington’s crackdown on Chinese technology it suspects of being used to collect…Guardian World · 27 Oct, 02:50
• U.S. military bans Chinese-made BYD cars from key air base in OkinawaThe move comes amid growing concerns about smart technology in the vehicles and the threat of spying.The Japan Times · 26 Oct, 05:15

In this story: BYD · Kadena airbase · Okinawa · United States · China

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