Ban on Tesla cars amid spying fears

Police in the Chinese coastal resort of Beidaihe – a favourite summer getaway of the communist elite – have banned Tesla cars from entering the town, afraid the cars might spy on President Xi.

The ban comes amid growing paranoia over the electric cars’ array of sensors, despite assurances from the company’s founder, Elon Musk, that his vehicles are not a security threat.

Police have said that a two-month ban on the cars entering the town, 160 miles east of Beijing, would be in place to protect “national affairs”.

The dates when

Xi is in Beidaihe are never publicised, but when they are there police impose traffic restrictions to keep foreign diplomats and journalists away.