Alibaba is the most recent Chinese language agency suspected of partaking in espionage for Beijing, with the Belgium safety service VSSE monitoring the corporate.
In response to CNN, VSSE mentioned it was monitoring Cainiao, the corporate’s logistics division, at a logistics hub within the Liège cargo airport.
“[We] detect and struggle towards attainable spying and/or interference actions carried out by Chinese language entities, together with Alibaba,” the VSSE mentioned in a press release.
Alibaba denied the allegations.
“We strongly deny the allegations [which are] primarily based on prior conjecture,” Cainiao advised CNN. “Cainiao is in compliance with all legal guidelines and laws the place it operates.”
Chinese language corporations are required by regulation to assist Beijing when referred to as upon, together with to facilitate China’s espionage efforts. Huawei, ZTE, and others have already been subjected to stiff sanctions by a number of international locations as a result of their actions on behalf of Beijing have been labeled a risk to nationwide safety.
If the allegations towards Alibaba are true, the corporate might properly discover itself on the identical path as Huawei.