Don’t buy security units from China, rep. says

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher doesn’t want a Chinese company to get another chance to sell security devices to the Port of Los Angeles.

The Beijing-based Nuctech company originally had a contract to provide scanning units to screen incoming containers for dangerous cargo, but officials said the scanner didn’t meet performance standards and required a Nuctech technician to work properly.

While the port is reviewing the company’s contract and will have a final decision by Feb. 19, Rohrabacher said the company shouldn’t get another chance — and that no Chinese company should have been allowed into the running.

“The most important factor in purchasing security equipment should be that it is not coming from a potential enemy,” Rohrabacher said. “That should exclude Chinese security equipment. The fact that the president of China’s son [a top Nuctech executive] is part of this indicates the whole deal deserves much greater scrutiny.”

— Michael Alexander