The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU(CCCEU)on Thursday firmly refuted allegations in a recent report from a German think tank commissioned by the German defense ministry that Chinese wind equipment makers in Germany may"exploit turbine sensors for data collection."
In a statement,the CCCEU stated that the German think tank's accusation is"technically implausible and lacking factual basis,"and called on German authorities to maintain fairness and transparency and resist artificial barriers that hinder clean energy cooperation.
The CCCEU's statement came after the think tank report claimed that Chinese firms could harvest sensitive data and remotely shut down turbines if given access to wind farms.The report by the German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies also called for Germany to suspend an existing wind project that included Chinese turbines,Politico reported,listing Chinese firms'involvement in the Waterkant offshore wind farm in northwest Germany as an example.
Allegations that Chinese wind firms could exploit turbine sensors for data collection are technically implausible and lack factual basis,as these sensors serve clear functions-optimizing turbine performance,monitoring faults and protecting wildlife,the CCCEU said.
In the Waterkant project,for example,all control systems,data storage and remote management remain with German and European project developers.Claims of"remote control"or"data leakage"are unsubstantiated and baseless,the CCCEU said.
Chinese wind power companies have been contributing to global green development with their efficient,innovative and reliable products,and have strictly complied with local regulations and safety requirements,the CCCEU said.
The politicization of commercial projects threatens fair competition and investor confidence,the chamber said.Excluding Chinese firms based on unverified security concerns would constitute trade protectionism,contradicting the EU's commitment to free markets,it said.
Lin Boqiang,director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University,told the Global Times on Thursday that the German think tank's claim is completely unfounded.
"The installation locations of wind power equipment are fixed,and their site selection and construction have to go through strict approval and supervision processes by local governments.There is simply no possibility of being remotely controlled at will or collecting sensitive data,"Lin said.
The German think tank's report,under the guise of security concerns,is clearly attempting to suppress Chinese wind power products.At its core,this stems from the fact that Chinese wind power technology has reached an advanced level and offers remarkable cost-effectiveness,leaving European competitors trailing behind,Jian Junbo,director of the Center for China-Europe Relations at Fudan University's Institute of International Studies,told the Global Times on Thursday.
"The practice of overstretching the national security concept to target Chinese enterprises is an act of trade protectionism,"Jian said.
China and the EU share strong interests in renewable energy and carbon neutrality,and excluding Chinese suppliers would not only slow Germany's own energy transition but also destabilize supply chains across Europe,the CCCEU stated.
China-EU trade remains resilient despite some frictions.In 2024,bilateral trade reached 5.591 trillion yuan($771 billion),up 1.6 percent year-on-year,according to the General Administration of Customs.
Cooperation between China and the EU is beneficial to both sides,and the German and European sides should not undermine normal economic and trade relations in such a groundless way,Jian added.
