airport boarding

Texas Legislators Introduce Bill to Restrict Purchasing Chinese Airport Equipment Due to Security Concerns

The legislation addresses the purchase of airport equipment, particularly passenger boarding bridges, from countries that are known for IP theft or national security threats.

Under new legislation proposed by two Texans in the House of Representatives, airports would be prohibited from using federal funds to buy airport equipment in countries that are classified as potentially posing a national security threat to the U.S., including China.

The bipartisan bill, titled the Airport Infrastructure Resources Security Act, would apply to passenger boarding bridges and other infrastructure equipment, according to The Hill. Government officials have recently warned cities and other entities to stop purchasing transportation and other infrastructure systems from China, which has become a heavy hitter in building transit systems in the U.S.

Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas), who introduced the legislation with Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), said in a statement that his legislation is partly a response to the Chinese Communist Party’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and what U.S. officials view as continued attempts to threaten American national security.

“Make no mistake, the CCP will stop at nothing to gain power and control,” Wright said. “We cannot afford to give them inroads to our most critical systems.”

He added that he and Veasey want to “ensure taxpayer dollars do not go to Chinese-owned or subsidized passenger boarding bridge companies that are hoping to steal from and spy on the American people.”

In a separate statement, Veasey emphasized the importance of the aviation industry to the economy in North Texas, where American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are headquartered.

“I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation with my colleague, Rep. Wright, that will help protect jobs for hardworking North Texans by making sure there is a price to pay for IP theft,” Veasey said. “As we emerge from the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic, one way to help rebuild the economy and get Americans back to work is by rebuilding our infrastructure. However, it is important that as we make these investments we are not rewarding foreign state-owned enterprises who have a history of IP violations.”

According to The Hill, supporters of the legislation are pointing to CIMC-Tianda, a Chinese company that manufactures the boarding bridges, as a key offender of industrial espionage. The company was found guilty of the crime by a U.S. federal court in Houston, and Florida lawmakers voiced concerns about the potential installation of CIMC-Tianda products at Miami International Airport in December.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.