Strict security surrounds the Belgian delegation accompanying PM Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal) on his official visit to China. Recent revelations about the role played by a former Flemish lawmaker in providing information to the Chinese and influencing party policy have highlighted Chinese attempts at espionage here.
“In the past Belgian delegations visiting China were targeted by Chinese hackers” explains VRT journalist Veerle De Vos, who is accompanying the premier. “In 2019 Princess Astrid and European commissioner Reynders headed a trade mission. On their return it emerged that the phones of several members of the delegation had been hacked”.
“A member of the West Flemish trade mission that visited China on the occasion of the forthcoming 400th anniversary of the birth of the priest and astronomer Ferdinand Verbiest experienced problems with his phone when he got back. Phone hacking is routine in China”.
Security concerns seem to have triggered unprecedented measures this time.
Veerle is an experienced China traveller: “Journalists have received instructions on how to better protect data. This happened prior to departure. In the past we were urged to be careful, but this is the first time we have received such an extensive briefing on precautions we can take. Members of the delegation are not allowed to take their own laptop with them and are only allowed to use burner phones that will be trashed on their return”.
Not only in China
Peter Gorlé, a spokesman for Belgian intelligence stresses that the service has been trying to increase security awareness among members of trade missions for many years. Journalists have received instructions but these are precautions we have been urging for years”.
“We identify countries that pose a larger or smaller security risk. It’s information that is available on the state intelligence website in the form of a security passport. In China there is the risk of espionage”.
China isn’t the only country where data leaks and phone hacking are to be feared. Mr Gorlé shied away from identifying any other countries, but VRT understands that similar security measures are required in several NATO countries, e.g. Turkey, Romania and Lithuania.