The United States military has banned all vehicles manufactured by Chinese electric vehicle company BYD from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, citing security concerns. According to The Guardian on October 27, US military officials expressed concerns that cameras, sensors and GPS systems installed in connected vehicles could potentially expose sensitive information. The restrictions apply to privately owned vehicles, taxis and delivery services entering the installation. Kadena is one of Washington's most strategically important military facilities in East Asia, with a significant role in potential regional security contingencies. The Pentagon had previously included BYD on a list of Chinese companies believed to have links with China's military. However, American officials have not publicly identified a specific security threat involving BYD vehicles at the base. The decision illustrates how US-China strategic competition increasingly extends beyond military capabilities into commercial technologies and civilian transportation systems./ The Guardian
