Cranes made in China a cybersecurity risk: DPP

• By Hsieh Chun-lin and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Cranes made in China could prove to be a cybersecurity risk, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said yesterday, citing a warning by White House staff earlier this year that more than 200 cranes made in China were being used at US harbors, and that they constituted a possible national and cybersecurity risk due to their ability to operate remotely.

Chung said that in the past two to three years, the number of cranes made in China has also increased in Taiwan.

A recent count at Keelung, Taipei and Kaohsiung harbors numbered nearly 100, he said.

Taiwan International Ports Corp said that the control system of the cranes was sourced from ABB Germany and Siemens AG, adding that the machines were on a secure internal loop.

However, unlike Japan, South Korea and Western nations, Taiwan lacks strict laws regulating the use of cranes made in China, which should be of concern to the public, Chung said.

Chinese crane manufacturers are deputies to the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, and they manufacture equipment for the People’s Liberation Army, a connection that could potentially spell disaster for Taiwan in the event of war, he said.

Chung said the government must pass regulations mandating the sources of machinery, adding that the government should ban the use of cranes made in China, especially by the military.

DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said that people should be aware that Chinese exports could be used for espionage.

Regulations should be implemented to scan for potential malware, he said.

DPP Legislator Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) said that the National Communications Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Digital Affairs should act quickly and draft laws regulating all equipment used for satellites in Taiwan, as stipulated under the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法).

Public Construction Commission Deputy Director Hu Pei-chung (胡培中) said that government agencies should restrict machinery and components made in China when conducting government procurement projects.

NCC Department of Infrastructure technician Chen Chun-an (陳俊安) said there is currently no law authorizing the NCC to ban machinery or components made in specific locations, but added that if questionable equipment is reported it can remove third-party hardware and issue fines.