TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An investigation into the use of Chinese-made technology by the military has revealed the use of Huawei routers at an Army base.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) continued investigating an optical communication procurement case, questioning the military's use of Huawei routers. Ministry of National Defense's Armaments Bureau on Thursday (July 4) confirmed that two Huawei routers and one Advantech Co. (研華) data reader made by a Chinese manufacturer were found at the Army's Hongchaolin Camp, and the bureau plans to penalize the contractors responsible, per CNA.
Huang previously exposed the use of Chinese-made inverters in the military's optical communication projects. On Thursday, he said the industrial computers used in the project were also made in China, potentially compromising national cybersecurity.
He called on the government to immediately terminate the contracts, seek compensation, and investigate the matter.
During an inspection by Huang of the Hongchaolin Camp on June 25, he discovered 44 inverters made in China under the German brand SMA and used by Yongliang Ltd. in a solar power project. On June 26, during a Legislative Yuan session, there were calls for a comprehensive inspection of the projects undertaken by Yongliang Ltd. and United Renewable Energy Co.
The Armaments Bureau responded that Yongliang Ltd. and United Renewable Energy Co. undertook four projects. Among these,128 Chinese-made inverters were found at three military facilities: 44 at the Army's Hongchaolin camp, 62 at the Navy's Pinghai camp, and 22 at the Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch.
On July 1, Huang requested a second inspection of the Hongchaolin Camp, where the Chinese-made Huawei routers and data reader were discovered. No Chinese-made products were found at the National Defense University's Shuai Chen Camp.
The Armaments Bureau said regarding solar power contractors using Chinese-made products, meetings were held on June 27 and July 1 to discuss the matter. The contractors were ordered to remove and stop the use of Chinese-made products.
The bureau will seek legal advice on punitive measures for contract violations, distinguishing between violations involving using Chinese-made products and breaching cybersecurity regulations. Penalties include setting deadlines for corrections and terminating contracts, with subsequent steps to be taken following official approval.
