February 1, 2024

Aquaculture monitoring tech caught in China's espionage alarm

In a recent report aired on China Central Television's Legal Channel 9, concerns over foreign espionage have entwined with the aquaculture sector's monitoring technology, SeafoodSource reported.

The report highlighted an incident involving a Dalian resident, Zhang, who, after allowing uninvited foreign equipment suppliers to install water-quality monitoring equipment at his sea cucumber farm in 2019, grew suspicious about data transmissions. Zhang, alarmed by the discovery, reported the matter to a police hotline designated for suspected espionage.

The intensified focus on national security in China, underscored by revisions to the espionage law last summer, has implications for the aquaculture industry. The revised law broadens the definition of state secrets and affects the sharing of information with overseas entities.

Kevin Fitzsimmons, a University of Arizona professor specialising in aquaculture, said that such measures could impede the sector's innovation and development and hinder collaboration with foreign researchers.

Fitzsimmons emphasised the potential negative consequences of nationalistic posturing. He said that overblown concerns about spying in China will hold back technical developments all-round.

The impact extends beyond aquaculture, affecting due diligence companies conducting research on Chinese entities for potential investors or buyers. The crackdown on alleged foreign espionage has led to the closure of several offices of foreign-owned risk consultancies in China.

The current global climate reflects reciprocal concerns, with US politicians targeting Chinese social media platform TikTok over security issues, and US authorities prosecuting Chinese nationals for spying. Fitzsimmons suggested a more collaborative approach, urging both nations to prioritise scientific expertise.

-        SeafoodSource